Pioneer life and frontier adventures : an authentic record of the romantic life and daring exploits of Kit Carson and his companions : from his own narrative

Frederick

RKINfO

A PLEASANT ENCOUNTER

PIONEEK LIFE

ANB

FRONTIER ADVENTURES.

AN AUTHENTIC RECORD OF THE ROMANTIC LIFK
AND DARING EXPLOITS OF

KIT CARSON A^D HIS

FROM HIS OWN NARRATIVE.

BY DEWITT c PETERS, .

Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel and Surgeon U. 8. A.

LONDON:

FREDERICK WARNE AND COMPANY,

BEDFORD STREET, STRAND.

•

THE AUTHOR'S PREFACE.

THE pages here presented to the public form a book of
facts. They unfold for the student, as does no other work
vet extant, the great interior wilderness of the Territories be-
longing to the United States. The scenic views, though
plainly colored and wrought by the hand of an unpretending
artist, inasmuch as they portray a part of the North American
continent which is unsurpassed by any other country on the
face of the earth, will not fail to interest the American pub-
lic. In addition to this, the reader is introduced to an inti-
mate acquaintance with the Indian races of the countries
which lie east and west of the Rocky Mountains. The savage
warrior and hunter is presented, stripped of all the deco-
rations with which writers of fiction have dressed him. He

-••en in his ferocity and gentleness, in his rascality and
nobility, in his boyhood, manhood, and old age, and in his
wi-clom and ignorance. The attentive reader will learn of
his approximations to truth, his bundle of superstitions, his
acts at home and on the war-path, his success while follow-
ing the buffalo, and engaging the wild Rocky Mountain bear,
that terror of the western wilderness. He will also behold
him carrying devastation to the homes of the New Mexican
settlers, and freely spilling their best blood to satiate a savage
revenge. He will see him attacking and massacring parties
of white men traveling across the prairies, and trace him in
his savage wars with the early settlers and frontiersmen.

In order to acquire these important data, that they might
be added to the pages of American history and form a reli-

Vlll THE AUTHOR S PREFACE.

able record, it was necessary that some brave, bold and deter-
mined man should become an actor on the scenes and among
the races described. Such an actor has been Christopher Car-
son, the Nestor of the Rocky Mountains ; and, it is the expe-
rience, as well as the acts of his stirring life, which the fol-
lowing pages present.

In olden times there existed, in the Rocky Mountains, a
race familiarly known by the name of " Trappers and Hunt-
ers." They are now almost extinct. Their history has not
yet been written. Pen paintings, drawn from the imagina-
tion, founded upon distant views of their exploits and adven-
tures, have occasionally served, as do legends, to "adorn a
tale." The volume now offered to the public, gives their
history as related by one whose name, as a trapper and hunter
of the " Far West," stood second to none ; by a man who,
for fifteen years, saw not the face of a white woman, or slept
under a roof; who, during those long years, with his rifle
alone, killed thousands upon thousands of buffalo, deer, ante-
lope, bears and elk, wild turkeys, prairie chickens, etc., etc.,
in numbers beyond calculation. On account of their origi-
nality, daring and interest, the real facts concerning this race
of trappers and hunters, will be handed down to posterity as
matters belonging to history.

As is the case with the Indian, the race of the " Simon
Pure Trapper " is nearly run. The advance of civilization,
keeping up its untiring march to the westward, is daily en-
croaching upon their wild haunts, and bringing the day close
at hand when warrior and trapper will depart forever to their
" Happy Hunting Grounds."

With the extinction of the great fur companies, the trap-
pers of " Olden Time," disbanded and separated.

The greatest number of these men, to be found at the pres-
ent day, reside in the Territory of New Mexico, Avhich, in the
time of their prosperity, was the country where they located
their head-quarters. In this Territory, Christopher Carson
resided. His name, in the Rocky Mountains, has been famil-
iarly known for nearly half a century ; and, from its associa-

THE AUTIIOE S PREFACE. IX

tion with the names of great explorers and military men, is
now spread throughout the civilized world. It has been gen-
erally conceded, and the concession has become strengthened
by time, that no small share of the benefits derived from these
explorations and campaigns, as well as the safety of the com-
mands themselves, was due to the sagacity, skill, experience,
advice and labor, of Christopher Carson.

His sober habits, strict honor, and great regard for truth,
endeared him to all who called him friend ; and, among such,
may be enumerated names belonging to some of the most dis-
tinguished men, whose deeds are recorded on the pages of
American history. His past life was a mystery which this
book will unveil. Instead of Kit Carson as by imagination —
a bold braggart, and reckless, improvident hero of the rifle —
he will appear a retired man, and one who was very reserved
in his intercourse with others.

It is years since the writer of this work first met Christo-
pher Carson. It needed neither a second introduction, nor
the assistance of a friendly panegyric, to enable him to dis-
cover in Christopher Carson those traits of manhood, which
are esteemed by the great and good to be distinguishing
ornaments of character. This acquaintance ripened into
.a friendship of the purest stamp, and to the time of his
death, the writer was the intimate friend and companion of
Carson, at his home, in the wild scenes of the chase, on the
war trail, and upon the field of battle. For a long period, in
common with hundreds, and, we might with truth add, thou-
sands, the writer desired to see Christopher Carson's wonderful
career made public for the world of readers ; but, while this
idea was germinating in his brain, he did not, for an instant,
flatter himself that the pleasant task would ever be assigned to
him. Finally, however, at the urgent solicitation of many
personal friends, Christopher Carson dictated the facts upon
which this book is written. They were placed in the writer's
hands, with instructions to add to them such information as
had fallen under his observation, during a long and intimate
acquaintance with Kit Carson, and during extensive travels

X THE AUTHOR S PREFACE.

over a large part of the wide expanse of country, which has
been Carson's theatre for action.

Owing to unfortunate circumstances, however, the work
has been kept out of the market, until the urgent demands
of the hundreds of admirers of the world-renowned " Kit,"
for an authentic history of his life and adventures, has encour-
aged the author to place the work before the public in its
present form.

The book is a book of solid truth ; therefore, the faults in
the style, arrangement and composition, become affairs of
minor consideration. For this reason, the writer makes no
apologies to embarrass the critics.

Christopher Carson, physically, was small in stature, but
of compact frame-work. He had a large and finely developed
head, a twinkling gray eye, and hair of a sandy color, which
he wore combed back a la Franklin mode. His education
having been much neglected in his youth, he was deficient in
theoretical learning. By natural abilities, however, he greatly
compensated for this defect. He spoke the French and Span-
ish languages fluently, besides being a perfect master of sev-
eral Indian dialects. In Indian customs, their manners, habits,
and the groundwork of their conduct, no man on the Ameri-
can continent was better skilled.

The writer, while on a foreign tour, once had the opportu-
nity and pleasure of hearing Gordon dimming, and other
hunters of less note, discourse on their hunting exploits ; fur-
thermore, in our own country, while seated around camp-
fires and in log-houses, he has listened to the adventures of
ancient and modern Nimrods in the chase. Besides these
facts, he has both seen and read much of hunting exploits ;
but no hunter ever filled his fancy so perfectly as did Christo-
pher Carson, a man Avho was always quick to act and never
known to boast. Although he has passed to the Happy
Hunting Grounds of eternity, his name will always stand
bright in the annals of history, as one that has contributed in
no small degree to the success of some of the greatest and
most successful exploring expeditions known to the world.

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

A PLEASANT ENCOUNTER Frontispiece.

TO FACE PAGE

PERILS OF FRONTIER LIFE vii

CROSSING THE SIERRA NEVADA 24

RIVER SCENE IN NEW MEXICO 40

SPANISH MONASTERY IN CALIFORNIA 44

SIIOSHONEE FALLS, SNAKE RIVER, IDAHO 56

THE GARDEN OF THE GODS 60

EMIGRANTS ON WESTERN WATERS 76

HUNTERS AND TRAPPERS IN THE WEST 84

FIGHT WITH GRIZZLY BEARS 90

HOME OF THE GRIZZLY BEAR 98

WHOOPING INDIANS 102

PUNISHING A BRAGGADOCIO 112

RESTORATION OF CAPTIVES 116

UPPER FALLS, YELLOWSTONE RIVER 118

YELLOWSTONE LAKE 118

A BLACKFEET WARRIOR 128

THE DEATH SHOT 136

LONG'S PEAK 142

AN INDIAN WAR-DANCE 146

BASIN ON THE COLUMBIA RIVER 154

THE PIPE OF PEACE 166

KlT AND HIS FAVORITE HORSE "APACHE" 168

BUFFALO HUNT 174

THE FIRST WHITE MEN ON "Tire GREAT RIVER" 182

A PERILOUS PASSAGE DOWN THE PLATTE 102

LAKE KLAMATH 204

MINING IN COLORADO 210

SETTLERS MASSACRED BY INDIANS 214

A BOLD ATTACK 220

STREET SCENE IN TAGS 230

A MEXICAN CART 234

THE PUEBLO OF TAOS 234

ILLUSTRATIONS.

TO tJi.CZ PACT

A MEXICAN GARDEN 238

A VIEW ON THE PLAINS . . 244

MOUNT SHASTA 252

A FIGHT IN THE LAVA BEDS 204

FREMONT SAVES CARSON'S LIFE 270

MISSION AT MONTEREY 274

FREMONT IN THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS 302

"WARLIKE EXERCISES OF THE CAMANCHES 314

EMIGRANTS ATTACKED BY INDIANS 326

HACIENDA AT RAYADO 334

MRS. WHITE A CAPTIVE 336

A TERRIFIC SNOW-STORM 346

Rio COLORADO 362

FINE LANDS WELL WATERED ' 368

" Lo ! THE POOR INDIAN " 378

TORTURE A LA MAZEPPA 394

GOLD-WASHING IN CALIFORNIA 410

A PRAIRIE ON FIRE 418

AN INDIAN STRONGHOLD 426

MOUNTAIN SCENERY 430

FIGHT WITH THE RED SKINS 450

A MOUNTAIN GORGE 474

FORT MASSACHUSETTS, NEW MEXICO, IN 1855 484

A CAPTIVE CHILD PLEADING FOR MERCY 490

THRILLING ADVENTURE WITH AN APACHE 502

INDIAN SCALP DANCE 508

AN INDIAN VILLAGE ON THE MOVE 512

SLAUGHTER OP THE INDIANS 522

ATTACK ON WAGON TRAIN 530

KIT CARSON'S HOME AT TAGS, NEW MEXICO 536

BORDER SETTLERS 546

THE NAVAJOES IN CAMP 550

PIONEER LIFE

AND

FRONTIER ADVENTURE.

OHAPTEE I.

Carsou's Birthplace — His Emigration to Missouri — Early Prospects — Is
an Apprentice — Stories of the Rocky Mountains — He Enlists to go
there — Adventures on the Prairies — Broader is Wounded — Carson's
Nerve put to the Test — Rude Amputation — Safe Arrival at Santa Fe —
Goes to Taos and learns the Spanish Language — Early Vicissitudes —
Disappointment and Attempt to return to Missouri — Wants a Woolen
Shirt — Is Employed as an Interpreter, Teamster, etc.

IT is now a well-established fact; that no State in the
American Union has given birth to so many distin-
guished pioneers and explorers of its boundless Terri-
tories, as the commonwealth of Kentucky. An author,
whose task is to tell of a hero, his bravery, endurance,
privations, integrity, self-denial and deeds of daring,
carries the morale with which to gain at once for these
characteristics the assent of the reader, by the simple
assertion, "My hero was born a Kentuckian." In-
deed, in America, to be a native of the State of Ken-
tucky, is to inherit all the attributes of a brave man, a
safe counselor and a true friend. It is, at least, cer-
tain that this State, whether the fact is due to its in-
land and salubrious climate, or to its habits of physical
training, has added many a hero unto humanity.

20 EMIGRATION TO MISSOURI.

Christopher Carson, by his countrymen familiarly
called " Kit Carson," was born in the County of Madi-
son, State of Kentucky, on the 24th day of December,
1809. The Carson family were among the first set-
tlers of Kentucky, and became owners of fine farms.
Besides being an industrious and skillful farmer, the
father of Kit Carson was a celebrated hunter. When
the Indians of Kentucky became quieted down, put-
ting an end to the calls upon his courage and skill as
a woodsman, he settled into a simple, respectable
farmer. This monotonous life did not suit his dispo-
sition ; and, as the tide of emigration into the wilds
of Missouri was then commencing, where both game
and the red man still roamed, he resolved to migrate
in that direction. It was only one year after the birth
of his son Christopher, that Mr. Carson sold his estate
in Kentucky and established himself, with his large
family, in that part of the State of Missouri now known
as Howard County. At this time Howard County, Mis-
souri, was a wilderness, on the remote American fron-
tier. At his new home, the father was in his element.
His reputation of carrying an unerring rifle and always
enacting the deeds of a brave man, was not long in fol-
lowing him into this wilderness. Mr. Carson's only
assistant, on his first arrival in Howard County, was
his eldest son, Moses Carson, who was afterwards set-
tled in the State of California, where he resided twenty-
five years before the great California gold discovery
was made.

For two or three years after arriving at their new
home, the Carson family, with a few neighbors, lived in
a picketed log fort; and when they were engaged in
agricultural pursuits, working their farms, and so forth,

A LIFE OF DANGER. 21

it was necessary to plough, sow and reap under guard,
men being stationed at the sides and extremities of
their fields to prevent the working party from being
surprised and massacred by wild and hostile savages
who infested the country. At this time the small-po^,
that disease which has proved such a terrible scourge
to the Indian, had but seldom visited him.*

The incidents which enliven and add interest to the
historic page, have proved of spontaneous and vigor-
ous growth in the new settlements of America. Nearly
every book which deals with the early planting and
progress of the American colonists and pioneers, con-
tains full, and frequently glowing, descriptions of ex-
ploits in the forest ; strifes of the hunter ; fights with
the savages ; fearful and terrible surprises of lurking
warriors, as they arouse the brave settler and his fam-

*This disease has probably been the worst enemy with which the red man of America
has had to contend. By terrible experience he has become familiarized with its ravages,
and has resorted to the most desperate remedies for its cure. Among many tribes, the
afflicted are obliged to form camps by themselves ; and, thus left alone, they die by scores.
One of their favorite remedies, when the scourge first makes its appearance, is to plunge
into the nearest river, by which they think to purify themselves. This course, however,
in reality, tends to shorten their existence. When the small-pox rages among the Aborig-
ines, a most unenviable position is held by their '' Medicine Man." He is obliged to give
a strict account of himself; and, if so unfortunate as to lose a chief, or other great person-
age, is sure to pay the penalty by parting with his own life. The duties of the " Medicine
Man " among the Indians are so mixed up with witchcraft and jugglery, so filled with the
pretence of savage quackery, so completely rude and unfounded as to principle, that it is
impossible to define the practice for any useful end. About five years since, a young gen-
tleman of scientific habits, who was attached to an exploring party, accidentally became
separated from his companions. In his wanderings he fell in with a band of hostile Sioux
Indians, who would quickly have dispatched him, had he not succeeded immediately in
convincing them of his wonderful powers. It so happened that this gentleman was well
informed in the theory of vaccination, and it struck him that by impressing on the sav-
ages his skill, he might extricate himself. By the aid of signs, a lancet and some virus, he
set himself to work, and soon saw that he had gained a reputation which saved him
his scalp. He first vaccinated his own arm, after which all of the Indians present solicited
his magic touch, to save them from the loathsome disease. The result was, that he found
lie had enlisted himself in an active practice. After a few days, the Indians were de-
lighted with the results, and began to look upon their prisoner as possessed of super-
human knowledge. They feared to do him injury, and finally resolved to let him go; of
which privilege it is almost unnecessary to say, he was delighted to avail himself, and
was not long in finding his friends.

22 EAELY PROSPECTS.

ily from their midnight dreams by the wild, death-
announcing war-whoop ; hair-breadth escapes from the
larger kinds of game, boldly bearded in their lair ; the
manly courage which never yields, but surmounts every
obstacle presented by the unbroken and boundless for-
est; all these are subjects and facts which have already
so many counterparts in book-thought, accessible to the
general reader, that their details may be safely omitted
during the boyhood days of young Carson. It is bet-
ter, therefore, to pass over the youthful period of his
eventful life, until he began to ripen into manhood.

Kit Carson, at fifteen years of age, was no ordinary
person. He had at this early age earned, and well
earned, a reputation, on the basis of which the prediction
was ventured in his behalf, that he would not fail to
make and leave a mark upon the hearts of his country-
men. Those who knew him at the age of fifteen hesi-
tated not to say, " Kit Carson is the boy who will grow
into a man of influence and renown."

The chief points of his character which elicited this
prediction were thus early clearly marked. Some of his
traits were kindness and good qualities of heart, deter-
mined perseverance, indomitable will, unflinching cour-
age, great quickness and shrewdness of perception, and
promptitude in execution. The predictions uttered by
the hardy rangers of the forest concerning a boy like
Carson are seldom at fault ; and Kit was one who, by
many a youthful feat worthy the muscle of riper years.
had endeared himself to their honest love. It was among
such men and for such reason that Kit Carson, thus
early in life, had won the influence and rewards of a
general favorite.

His frame was slight, below the medium stature,

APPRENTICED TO A HARNESS-MAKER. 23

closely knit together, and endowed with extraordinary
elasticity. He had, even then, stood the test of much
hard usage. What the body lacked in strength was
more than compensated for by his indomitable will ;
consequently, at this early age, he was considered
capable of performing a frontier man's work, both in
tilling the soil and handling the rifle.

It was at this period of his eventful life that his father,
acting partially under the advice of friends, determined
that his son Kit should learn a trade. A few miles from
Kit's forest home there lived a Mr. David Workman, a
saddler. To him he was apprenticed. With Mr. Work-
man young Carson remained two years, enjoying both
the confidence and respect of his employer ; but, mourn-
ing over the awl, the hide of new leather, the buckle
and strap, for the glorious shade of the mighty forest,
':he wild battle with buffalo and bear, the crack of the
unerring rifle, pointed at the trembling deer. Saddlery
Is an honorable employment ; but saddlery never made
a greater mistake than when it strove to hitch to its
traces the bold impulse, the wild yearning, the sinewy
muscle of Kit Carson. Harness-making was so irksome
to his ardent temperament and brave heart, that he
resolved to take advantage of the first favorable oppor-
tunity and quit it forever. With him, to resolve was to
act. During the latter part of his stay with Mr. Work-
man, many stories of adventures in the Rocky Moun-
tains reached the ear of the youthful Kentuckian in his
Missouri home. The almost miraculous hyperbole, which
flavored the narratives were not long in awakening in
his breast a strong desire to share in such stirring events.
The venturesome mind at last became inspired. He
determined to go ; and, giving his restless spirit full

DANGEROUS TKAVELING. 25

of meaning which the word extends, literally, an ex-
plorer, whose chosen object was the task of a hero.
The Indians themselves could give no information of the
route beyond the confined limits of their hunting-ranges.
The path which this pioneer party entered was existent
only in the imagination of the book-making geographer,
about as accurate and useful from its detail as the route
of Baron Munchausen to the icelands of the North Pole
on the back of his eagle. The w^hole expanse of the
rolling prairie, to those brave hearts, was one boundless
uncertainty. This language may possibly be pro-
nounced redundant. It may be in phrase ; it is not in
fact. The carpet-knight, the holiday ranger, the book-
worm explorer, knows but little of the herculean work
which has furnished for the world a practical knowledge
of the western half of the North American continent.
We shall see in the progress of this work whether the
adventures of Kit Carson entitle him to a place in the
heart of the American nation on the same shelf with
his compeers.

In that day, the fierce red-man chief scoured the
broad prairies, a petty king in his tribe, a ruler of his
wild domain. Bold, haughty, cautious, wily, unrelent-
ing, revengeful, he led his impassioned warriors in the
chase and to battle. Even to-day the lurking Indian
foeman is no mean adversary to be laughed and brushed
out of the way, notwithstanding disease, war, assassina-
tion and necessary chastisement have united rapidly to
decimate his race, thereby gradually lessening its power.
Fifty years ago the'rolling plains were alive with them,
and their numbers alone made them formidable. It is
not strange that the untutored savages of the prairie,
like those of their race who hailed with ungovernable

26 TRUE INDIAN CHARACTER.

curiosity the landing of the Pilgrims on Plymouth
Rock, should have been attracted by the wonderful
inventions of the white-man intruder. A very short
period of time served to turn this ungovernable curi-
osity into troublesome thieving. Knowing no law but
their wild traditionary rules, they wrested from the ad-
venturous pioneer his rifle, knife, axe, wagon, harness,
horse, powder, ball, flint, watch, compass, cooking uten-
sils, and so forth. The result was, sanguinary engage-
ments ensued, which led to bitter hostility between the
two races. Doubtless the opinion may be controverted,
but it nevertheless shall be hazarded, that, until the
weaker party shall be exterminated by the stronger,
the wrild war-whoop, with its keen-edged knife and
death-dealing rifle accompaniments, will continue, from
time to time, to palsy the nerve, and arouse the cour-
age of the pioneer white man. The Indian, in his at-
tack, no longer showers cloth-yard arrows upon his foe.
He has learned to kill his adversary with the voice of
thunder and the unseen bullet.

The bold traveler, whose pathway lies over those
great high-roads which lead to the Pacific must still
watch for the red man's ambush by day, and by night
sleep under the protecting vigilance of the faithful,
quick-sighted sentinel. The savage never forgives his
own or his ancestor's foe. Every generation of them
learns from tradition, the trials and exploits of its
tribe. From earliest boyhood these form the burden
of their education in history ; and, on performing the
feat of courage or strength which admits them to
the councils of the braves, their nation's wrongs are
uppermost in their thoughts, causing them to thirst
for a revenge which sooner or later gives them a

THE HUNTER'S "HOUNDS." 27

grave, making themselves, in turn, an object of re-
venge.

It has already appeared that when Kit Carson en-
tered upon his first expedition, game was to be had in
abundance. His route lay across the western wilds to
Santa Fe. All this distance the bulk of provisions, con-
sisting of a small quantity of flour and bacon, had to
be transported by himself and his companions. These
articles were kept as a reserve, and were looked upon
as luxuries ; for that man was estimated to be a very
poor shot who could not obtain, with his rifle, all the
animal food he required for his individual sustenance.
These hunters, however, well understood the laws which
-govern and the advantages which follow division of la-
bor. Everything was so arranged, both for this and
subsequent expeditions, by which a regular hunter
was appointed, and each man assigned some particu-
lar duty according to his capacity. These appoint-
ments were usually made by the leader of the party,
whose supervision was acknowledged by general con-
sent on account of his known experience and capa-
bility. This plan was the more necessary in order to
avoid confusion.

The caravan had hardly launched out on its long
and tedious tramp, when an accident occurred which
came very near proving serious in its results. For sev-
eral days the men had been greatly annoyed by wolves
who appeared more than usually ravenous and bold.
There are two species of these animals found on the
western prairie. One is small, called the Jackal ; the
other much larger. The latter, or larger species, are
found of various colors, but more frequently grey. The
color, however, varies with the season, and often from

28 AN UNPLEASANT SERENADE.

other causes. Many of their habits are strikingly sim-
ilar to those of the domestic dog, with the simple dif-
ference that the wolf is unreclaimed from his wild
state. The connecting link between the prairie wolf
and the domestic dog, is the cur found among the Indi-
ans. The Indian cur, by a casual observer, could be
easily mistaken for a prairie wolf. Near the Rocky
Mountains, and in them, these animals are found of
immense size ; but, being cowardly, they are not dan-
gerous. The first night a person sleeps on a prairie
is ever afterwards vividly impressed upon his mem-
ory. The serenade of the wolves, with which he is
honored, is apt to be distinctly remembered. It is far
from agreeable, and seldom fails to awaken unpleas-
ant forebodings concerning the future ; and, the idea
that these fellows may be soon cleaning his bones is
not very genial to the fancy. To the wolf, the grave-
yard is anything but consecrated ground ; and, if a
person is very chary of his cadaver, he had better not
leave it on the Western Plains. The wolf is quite
choice in his viands whenever the opportunity offers,
and will., at any time, leave the carcass of an Indian
for that of a white man. Old frontiersmen, speaking
of the wolves, usually style them as " their dogs ;" and,
after a night when these animals have kept up an in-
cessant barking, they will express wonder by asking
what has been disturbing " their hounds." The flesh
of the mountain wolf, when cooked, has something of
the smell and taste of mutton, but it is very rank.

In order to frighten the wolves, the teamsters would
occasionally shoot them. One of the members of the
expedition, named Broader, was obliged to take a fresh
rifle from a wagon. In taking the gun out, the hammer

A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT. 29

of the lock caught against some projecting object, which
caused it to be partially set. Having become freed,
however, before it was fully set, it came down and fired
the gun. The contents of the barrel were sent through
the man's arm. No member of the expedition was
conversant with surgical knowledge. Here was an
occasion to shake the nerves of any feeling man ; and,
beneath the rough exterior of the western ranger, there
runs as deep a stream of true humanity as can be found
anywhere on the American continent. Every sugges-
tion was offered and every effort was put forth which
heart feeling chained to anxiety and the terrible neces-
sity, could offer. Every remedy which promised a good
result was duly weighed ; and, if pronounced worthy of
trial, it was adopted. The sufferer had kind, though
rough nurses ; but the absence of scientific skill, under
such emergency, proved a sad want for the unfortunate
man. Notwithstanding their united efforts, Broader's
arm grew alarmingly worse. It soon became manifest
to all that he must part with his arm, or lose his life ; —
perhaps both. At this critical period a consultation
was held, in which the suffering patient joined. Due
deliberation was extended to all the symptoms. The
giving of advice in such a council by men who could
only give judgment from an imaginary stand-point, must
strike the heart of true sympathy as having been pain-
ful in no ordinary degree. After every possible argu-
ment had been offered in favor of saving the arm, the
final decision of the council was that it must come off.
The next difficulty which presented itself was quite as
formidable as the expression of a correct judgment.
Who should perform the office of surgeon ? was the
knotty question. Again the consultations became ex-

30 KIT'S NEEVE PUT TO THE TEST.

citing and intensely painful. The members of the
council, however, took it upon themselves to designate
the persons, and chose Carson with two others. These
immediately set at work to execute their sad but neces-
sary task. The arrangements were all hastily, but care-
fully made, and the cutting begun. The instruments
used were a razor, an old saw, and, to arrest the hemor-
rhage, the king bolt taken from one of the wagons was
heated and applied to serve as an actual cautery. The
operation, rudely performed, with rude instruments, by
unpractised hands, excited to action only by the spur
of absolute necessity, proved, nevertheless, entirely
successful. Before the caravan arrived at Santa Fe, the
patient had so far recovered that he was able to take
care of himself.

Besides this unfortunate affair, nothing worthy of note
transpired, beyond the general record of their route,
during the remainder of their journey. The latter would
be too voluminous for the general reader, and has
already served its purpose as an assistant to other ex-
ploring parties, both from published account and con-
versational directions. The party entered Santa Fe in
the month of November. Very soon after, Kit Carson
left his companions and proceeded to Fernandez de
Taos, a Mexican town, which lies about eighty miles to
the north-east of the capital of New Mexico. During
the winter that followed his arrival in the territory of
New Mexico, Kit lived with an old mountaineer by the
name of Kin Cade, who very kindly offered him a home
It was at this period of his life that he commenced
studying the Spanish language. His friend Kin Cade
became his assistant in this task. At the same time
Kit neglected no opportunity to learn all he could

POVERTY AND DISAPPOINTMENT. 31

about the Rocky Mountains. He little thought, then,
that these earth-formed giants were to become his
future home, and so gloriously to herald his name
throughout the entire civilized globe.

The pinching effects of want now attacked poor Kit.
He could obtain no employment. His expectations in
this respect, as well as his earnest efforts, received so
little encouragement that he began, finally, to despond.
Extreme poverty is a wet damper on the fires of the
best genius ; but, as was the case with Kit, it does not
effectually put it out. Kit saw with sorrow that he
must retrace his steps. To obtain means to carry out
his ardent desires, in the spring of 1827 he started on
a backward trip to Missouri. Every step he took in
this direction was accompanied with such displeasure,
that had it not been his best and surest policy, he
would have mastered any difficulties of another and
better course, had such offered. Four hundred and
fifty miles from Santa Fe, being about one-half the
distance across the prairies, had been accomplished by
the party Kit had joined for this homeward trip. The
fording of the Arkansas River had been reached. Here
Kit's party met with some traders bound for New Mex-
ico. They offered him employment, which he gladly
accepted ; and, in their company, retraced his steps
back to Santa Fe'. But when arrived at Santa Fe, Kit
found himself again without money. He was afforded
an opportunity to obtain a wardrobe, but to the moun-
taineer, such property would be entirely a superfluity.
He feels nearly independent on the score of clothing,
as he considers that he needs but little raiment, .and
that little he is always proud to owe to his beloved
rifle. This brings to his hand buckskins in plenty, and

32 KIT WANTS A "WOOLEN SHIRT."

his own ingenuity is the fashion-plate by which they
are manufactured into wearable and comfortable ves-
ture. There is one article of clothing, however, for
which the frontiersman feels an ardent predilection.
It is a woolen shirt. This article, Kit really needed ;
and, in equal pace with his necessity, ran his anxiety
that something should offer by which to obtain one.
The reader may smile at this ; and, so did Kit, as he
afterwards recounted the fact in his own inimitable
style. But Kit said that to obtain a woolen shirt
then, was, to him, no laughing matter. At a moment
when he almost despaired of gaining employment, he
received an offer to go as a teamster with an expedi-
tion bound to El Paso. This opportunity was a chance
for success not to be lost, and he closed with the prop-
osition. After faithfully performing his engagement,
he, however, returned to Santa Fe, where he made a
short stay, and then proceeded to Taos. In this town
Kit entered into the service of Mr. Ewing Young, who
was a trader and trapper. The reader may prepare
again for a smile, as he will now learn that Kit became
a cook. Mr. Ewing Young had the satisfaction of
boasting that the renowned Kit Carson once performed
the responsible and arduous duties of a master cook in
the culinary department of his establishment ; and
that, for these valuable services, labor, care and dili-
gence, he gave to Kit, as a quid pro quo, his board.
In this way Kit supported himself in his straitened
circumstances until the following spring.

What was the bright thought which made the bold,
the ardent, the energetic Kit Carson accept this menial
office ? Surely the brain metal which was so brightly
polished when he set out from Howard County, Mis-

INTERPRETER AND TEAMSTER. 33

souri, must have been sadly rusted. Not so ! The
hope which buoyed up his spirits while he attempted
to rival French pastry and English beef with American
venison and Buffalo meat on the table of Mr. Ewing
Young, was that some trapper, or hunter, would come
into Taos, their favorite place of resort ; and, by being
ready for an emergency, he would obtain an opportu-
nity for gaining a permission to join them. His inten-
tion was certainly good, but it lacked the bright crown
of good intention — success. In the spring of 1828?
much chagrined with his, so far, continued bad luck,
and no prospect of gaining his object appearing, he
again joined a homeward-bound party and with it, sor-
rowfully, started for Missouri. But, as on the former
trip homeward, he met on the route a party bound for
Santa Fe. That indomitable ingredient in his compo-
sition, an iron will, caused him once more to turn his
face westward. He joined this party and returned to
Santa Fe, in order again to tempt fortune for an oppor-
tunity to reach the Rocky Mountains. But during all
these changes and counterchanges Kit had not been
idle. He had picked up considerable knowledge, and,
to his other stock of accomplishments, had added the
ability to speak the Spanish language.

On arriving once more at Santa Fe, he fell in with
Col. Tramell, who was at that time a well-known
trader. Col. Tramell needed a Spanish interpreter.
Kit obtained the post, and set out with him for Chi-
huahua, one of the Mexican States. Here again Kit
made a change in his employment. In Chihuahua he
fell in with Mr. Robert McKnight. To him he hired
out as a teamster, and in this capacity went to the cop-
per mines which arc found near to the Rio Gila. Amid

34 NO THOUGHT OF DANGER.

the weary necessities of this humble but honorable
calling, Kit's heart was constantly alive with ambition
to become a hunter and trapper. He knew that he
was expert with the rifle, which had been his boyish
toy, and felt confident that he could rely upon it as
an assistant to gain an honest living. His constant
thought at this time was, let him now be engaged in
whatever calling chance offered and necessity caused
him to accept, the final pursuit of his life would be as
a hunter and trapper. Here, then, is presented a
fair example of the strife, Tjoth inward and outward,
through which a young man of courage and ambition
must expect to pass before he can win position, influ-
ence, and the comforts of life, whatever the scene of
his action, or whatever the choice of employment suit-
able to his talent and genius. Kit Carson was deter-
mined, no matter what might be the obstacles which
presented themselves, to be a hunter and trapper.

The reader will have made a sad mistake if he has
concluded, that during the time which has intervened
since Kit started from Missouri, he has been roaming
in a country where there was less danger than when
he was in the picketed fort with his father. Such a
supposition would be greatly at fault. The towns in
New Mexico, at this early period, were almost entirely
at the mercy of the Indians. The Mexicans were nearly
destitute of means to defend themselves. Very few of
the Anglo-Saxon race had entered this territory, and
those who had were, in turn, exposed to the vacillating
wills of the proverbially treacherous Mexicans. A man
like Kit Carson, however, born and bred in danger,
cared but little about this state of affairs. The dangers
did not enter into his calculations of chance to over-

ARRIVES AT TAGS. Bi>

come the difficulties which beset the pathway which
the alluring hopes of his ambition had marked out.
Not long afterward he left the copper mines, and once
more bent his steps to Taos, in company with a small
party. At Taos he found a band of trappers which had
been sent out by Mr. Ewing Young. While en route
for the River Colorado, in pursuit of game, they had
been attacked by a band of Indians. After fighting
an entire day, they had been compelled to retreat,
and returned to New Mexico.

36 AFTER THE INDIANS.

'CHAPTER II.

The News of the Defeat of Mr. Young's Trapping Party by the Indiana
reaches Taos — Young raises a Party to Chastise the Indians — Kit Car-
son becomes a Conspicuous Member of the Expedition — The Indians
are found on Salt River — The Fight — Trapping Exploits — A new
Country — Trials and Vicissitudes — Sacramento Valley — California
and its Roman Catholic Missions in 1829 — Another Indian Fight —
Sale of Furs — Indian Depredations — Kit Carson and .Twelve Trap-
pers engage with the Indians in a Battle — Return to the Camp with
recovered Property.

THE news of the attack and defeat of his men by the
Indians was brought to Mr. Ewing Young at Taos by a
member of the unfortunate expedition. On learning
the causes which brought this unpleasant termination
to his enterprise, Mr. Young raised a party of forty men,
consisting of Americans, Canadians, and Frenchmen,
and put himself at its head. Kit Carson was received
into the party, and soon became one of its most prom-
inent and efficient aids. Mr. Young's object was two-
fold— first, to chastise the Indians ; and, second, to make
all he could out of the expedition by employing the men
in their calling as trappers. Under the Mexican laws,
licenses were required from the Government to all
Mexicans who set out on trapping expeditions. These
were not granted to citizens of the United States. This
was not the mere will of governmental officials v the
Mexican statutory law prohibited the granting of
licenses to citizens of the United States. This law was,

KIT'S FIRST INDIAN FIGHT. 37

however, often made a dead letter by Americans, for
they frequently but stealthily evaded it. In order,
therefore, to hoodwink the Mexican authorities, Mr.
Young had to resort to various expedients. His prep-
arations were so carefully and secretly made, that the
real business he had in contemplation did not transpire,
or even a suspicion gain currency as to his intended
whereabouts.

In April, 1829, the party set out, eager to bring about
results equal to their anticipations. At first, to avoid
the curiosity and inquiring disposition of the Mexicans,
they traveled northward, as if their destination was into
the territory of the United States. Hints had been suf-
ficiently freely bestowed upon the Mexicans to lead
them to believe that such was the destination of the
party. After journeying fifty miles in this direction, and
feeling themselves free from the scrutiny of the Mexican
authorities, they changed their course to the south-west,
and traveled through the country occupied by the
Navajoes, an interesting and dangerous race of Indians,
over which, at a later day, Kit Carson achieved the
greatest victory ever known in Indian warfare. On
their route, the company passed through Zuni, a Peublo
town ; thence they traveled to the head of Salt Eiver,
one of the tributaries of the Rio Gila. Here they dis-
covered the band of Indians who had attacked and
defeated the formerparty. As soon as the Indians dis-
covered the party of trappers, they became eager for
the affray. The usual preliminaries for such fights
were, therefore, quickly made on both sides. Young
directed the greater part of his men to lie in ambush,
for he felt confident that the Indians did not know his
strength. The bands of savages who covered the hills

38 THE RED-SKINS DEFEATED.

round about mistook the halt necessary to complete the
ambush for cowardice and fear on the part of the whites.
At this their courage arose to such a degree that they
made a bold charge against, as they supposed, the small
party of white men who were visible. They were allowed
to advance well into the trap, until, by the position of
the trappers in ambush, they came under a cross-fire.
At the word of command, a general volley was fired
into the advance column. Fifteen warriors fell dead,
and many others were wounded. The Indians became
panic-stricken, and the trappers immediately following
up their advantage, advanced from cover. The war-
riors did not rally for a second attack, but fled in every
direction, leaving Young, with his party, masters of the
field. Strange as it has ever seemed, to the inquiring
mind, in those days and for many succeeding years,
companies of white men from fifty to sixty in number
could wage successful war against whole tribes of In-
dians, who could easily muster a thousand fighting
men. A reason often given for this is, that the trappers
of the western wilds are invariably " dead shots" with
the rifle and well versed in Indian strategy. On the
other hand, the red men were, comparatively speaking,
poorly armed, and could not travel together for any
length of time in large parties, because they depended
for food chiefly upon hunting. Had there existed no
other cause, the means of obtaining provision being
limited, must have compelled them to separate. Very
frequently whole tribes are reduced to depend upon
daily hunts. The bravery of the Indians is of a dif-
ferent stamp from that which is exhibited by the whites,
especially where the white man is a Simon-pure western
trapper. The white man on the prairie or in the moun-

OFF FOR CALIFORNIA. 39

tains knows but too well that, if attacked by Indians,
he must conquer or die. It was, and is, seldom that a
company out on an expedition has any place of refuge
to which it may retreat. Here is the principal reason
why the trapper is so seldom defeated. He cannot
afford to lose his life to a certainty, and consequently
will not allow a defeat.

After this fight, Young's party trapped down the
Salt River to San Francisco River, and thence on up to
the head of the latter stream. The Indians failed not
to hover on their pathway, and to make nightly at-
tacks upon their party. Frequently they would crawl
into camp and steal a trap, or kill a mule or a horse,
and do whatever other damage they could secretly.
At the head of the San Francisco River the company
was divided. It was so arranged, that one party was
to proceed to the valley of the Sacramento in Califor-
nia. Of this detachment Kit Carson was a member.
The other party had orders to return to New Mexico
for the purpose of procuring traps to replace those
stolen. This latter party was also commissioned to
take and dispose of the stock of beaver already on
hand. The party bound for California was eighteen
in number. Of this party Mr. Young took command.
Previous to setting out, a few days were devoted to
hunting. They only succeeded, however, in killing
three deer. The meat of these animals they prepared
to take with them, as they were about to journey into
a country never before explored. The skins of the
three deer were converted into tanks for carrying wa-
ter. They had learned from some friendly Indians that
the country over which they had to pass en route was
destitute of water. The red men told them addition-

40 SCENTING WATER FROM AFAR.

ally that the valley (meaning the Sacramento) was
beautiful, and that the streams were full of beaver.
All of this information the trappers found was true.
For four days they traveled over a barren country,
where not one drop of water could be found. At each
night's camping-place, small allowances of water from
the tanks was distributed by the commander to each
man and animal. A guard was then stationed over
the remainder to prevent any accident from depriving
the company of this now precious article of sustenance.
At the close of the fourth day, however, they again
found water. The instinct exhibited by the pack
mules on this occasion was truly remarkable. Long
before any member of the party thought that water
was so near, the mules, with unerring certainty, had
smelt it, and each one, according to his remaining
strength, had hurried on to partake of it. The result
was, that when the first mule had reached the water,
the remainder were scattered along upon the trail for
a great distance. The company encamped here, and
remained two days to recruit.

The journey was renewed on the third day, the route
being still over a similar kind of country, necessitating
both man and beast to submit to similar privations as
to water. In four days more they came in sight of the
great Canon of the Colorado, which failed not to awaken
a thrill of delight in every member of the party. Just
before reaching the Canon they met a party of Mohave
Indians, of whom they purchased an old mare. She
was killed and eaten by the party with great gusto.
The party remained three days on the banks of the
Colorado recruiting their strength. While remaining
here, another party of Mohave Indians visited them,

LOSING A RIVER. 41

from whom they procured a small quantity of corn and
beans. Leaving the Colorado, they recommenced their
journey and traveled south-west. In three days they
arrived at a stream which rises in the coast range, runs
north-east and is lost in the sands of the Great Basin.
About two years previous to their arrival here, three
trappers by the names of Smith, Sublet t, and Jackson,
with a large party of men, had a desperate fight in
this neighborhood with hostile Indians. They, also,
had learned from friendly Indians of the wonders of
the Sacramento Valley, and were en route to explore
it when attacked. Four only out of their entire com-
pany escaped with their lives. These succeeded in
making their way to the nearest Mexican settlements,
which they reached in a- state of complete destitution,
after many hardships. Young and his party followed
the dry bed of this river for several days before they
came to any visible water. It may be interesting to
some of our readers to know that there are ' many of
these curious rivers in western America, which, for
miles disappear from the surface of the earth, and,
probably, run through the quicksand beneath, as they
re-appear again. The outline of the river usually exists
between the place of its disappearance and the place
where the water again comes to the surface of the
earth. By digging'a few feet into the sand within the
outline the water is generally obtained. It takes but
a short time, however, for the hole thus made to fill
up again. On quitting this river, the party journeyed
to the westward, and in four days, came to the Mission
of San Gabriel. Here they found one Eoman Catholic
priest, fifteen Mexican soldiers, and about one thousand
Indians. Belonging to this little colony were eighty

42 ROMAN CATHOLIC MISSIONS.

thousand head of cattle, fine fields and vineyards. Lit*
erally the work and life of the Jewish patriarchs were
here being reenacted.

" A shepherd on the mighty plain he watched his roving store."

To the half-starved followers of Mr. Young, this Mis-
sion appeared to be a " Paradise of Earth." They re-
mained here, however, but one day. Having nothing
else to trade, they parted with their butcher-knives,
receiving for four of them one fat ox. It would all ap-
pear a fabulous tale, were we to incorporate into this
narrative a history, or even a slight description of the
immensity of the herds of horses and cattle which once
roamed over the plains and valleys of California and
New Mexico. It is but a few years since that some
wealthy Mexicans owned herds in these parts of Amer-
ica which they numbered by tens of thousands. They
were, however, almost valueless for want of a market ;
and, until the tide of emigration poured in, developing
the resources of the country by its demand for pro-
visions and labor, horses and cattle were sold for a
mere trifle. In one day's march from San Gabriel,
Young and his party arrived at another Roman Catho-
lic Mission, called San Fernando. This establishment
was on a much smaller scale than the first. Young
and his hardy followers, however, stopping only for a
few hours, pushed on for the Sacramento River, which
proved to be distant only a few days' march. Their
course from San Fernando was north-east. The last
part of their journey led through a delightful tract of
country, where water, grass and game existed in abund-
ance, seemingly a foretaste of the success which awaited

KIT DISTINGUISHES HIMSELF. 43

their further advance. Selecting an eligible camping
site, Young here rested his party for some time. When
they were fully recruited, the party started for the
San Joaquin, and commenced trapping down the river.
What gave the men great surprise, they discovered
unmistakable signs of another trapping party. In a
short time it appeared that they were close to a
party belonging to the Hudson's Bay Company, com-
manded by Peter Ogden. Young's men however, con-
tinued setting their traps on the San Joaquin and its
tributaries. The two parties were near each other for
some time, and as deer, elk, and antelope existed by
thousands around them, which it was no trouble to kill
in any numbers desirable, they fared well. On again
reaching the Sacramento River, the two parties sepa-
rated. Mr. Ogden, with his party, set out for the
Columbia River, while Mr. Young's party encamped
where they were for the remainder of the summer.
As the season for trapping had passed they employed
their time in hunting and preparing meat for future
necessity.

It was here that Kit Carson soon distinguished him-
self as a superior hunter, which reputation he main-
tained ever after, no matter who were his antagonists.
Not but that Kit may have had his equals ; but that it
was next to an impossibility to find his superior. At
all events, the world gave Kit Carson the title of "Nes-
tor of the Rocky Mountains," for his reputation as a
hunter alone ; and as his biographer, we take pleasure
in recording the facts by which the title was earned
and maintained. Let the reader possess himself of the
facts, as they shall appear divested of any and every
picture which fancy or partiality may accidentally

44 FIGHT WITH THE INDIANS.

cause us to paint, and even then Kit Carson will not
lose the title. On the contrary, it will become the
more indelibly stamped upon his memory.

During the sojourn of the trappers on the Sacra-
mento, an event occurred which exhibited the readi-
ness with which these men responded to calls upon
them for aid in a just cause. A few of the Indians
belonging to the Mission of the San Rafael, after com-
mitting some excesses, deserted from those to Avhom
they had pretended friendship. The priest having
charge of the Mission sent a strong force to search for
the fugitives. They were found secreted. in an Indian
village, the inhabitants of which were not on friendly
terms with the priest's party. A demand was made
that the deserters should be given up, which being re-
fused, a fight ensued, and the priest's party was de-
feated. Assistance was now asked from the trappers.
The request was complied with by Carson and eleven
of his companions, who volunteered for the occasion.
Thus reinforced, the vanquished party returned and
resumed the fight, but with a far different result. The
Indian village was captured, and one-third of its in-
habitants killed. The day following a second demand
to deliver up the deserters was complied with. Carson
and his companions then left the priest's party and re-
joined their camp. A short time after this affair had
happened, Mr. Young carried the furs he had on hand
to the Mission of San Rafael, where he was so fortu-
nate as to find a captain of a trading schooner to
whom he succeeded in disposing of the entire stock.
With the money accruing from the sale, he purchased
horses and then rejoined his company.

A circumstance occurred a few days after Mr. Young's

AFTER THE HORSE THIEVES. 45

return; which proved to be a good warning to the party
for their future vigilance. During one dark night,
some Indians, eluding the watch of the sentinels, suc-
ceeded in entering the camp and moving off sixty
horses. As soon as the robbery was discovered, which
had been the more easily accomplished because the
trappers, not apprehending danger, had allowed the
animals to take care of themselves, Mr. Young directed
Kit Carson to take twelve men with the remaining
horses, fourteen in number, and pursue the thieves.
Carson, in obedience to his orders, immediately started
for the Sierra Nevada Mountains, following the trail
of the Indians. After traveling one hundred miles he
came up with the robbers, and discovered them in the
act of feasting upon horse-flesh, six of their own ani-
mals having been killed to supply the viands. Doubt-
less stolen fruit made the feast all the sweeter to the
savages, but Kit determined to mingle a little of the
bitter as a condiment to the roasted flesh. Gathering
his men well together, and approaching very close to
the foe without being discovered, he gave the order to
charge. His men needed no second command. They
fell upon the feasting savages like a thunderbolt, scat-
tering them right and left without mercy. Eight of
the warriors were killed in the short conflict which en-
sued. The remainder were allowed to escape. With
some difficulty they next succeeded in recovering all
their horses, except the six which had been killed.
With their horses, and three children taken prisoners,
they returned to camp. -It is unnecessary to add that,
to men thus isolated in the wilderness, Kit and his
party were hailed with joyful greetings when their
complete success became known. To them their horses

46 GROWING POPULARITY.

were like the good ship to the hardy sailors on the
mighty ocean. The joyful reaction which followed
such compfete success was in ratio to the fears which
the continuing suspense had excited.

Kit Carson, though at that day a youth in years and
experience when compared with the other members of
the party of which he was then an associate, had risen
rapidly in the estimation of all, and had excited the
admiration and enlisted in his behalf the confidence of
the entire band. When called upon to add his counsel
and advice to the general fund of knowledge offered by
the trappers concerning any doubtful or difficult enter-
prise, his masterly foresight and shrewdness, as well as
clearness in attending to details, alone gave him willing
auditors. But it was the retired manner and modest
deportment, which he invariably wore, that won for him
the love of his associates. Such characteristics failed
not to surprise, in no ordinary degree, those who could
boast a long life-time of experience in Indian countries.
Kit Carson's powers of quickly conceiving thoughts, on
difficult emergencies, which pointed out the safest and
best plans of action, "just the things that ought to be
done," and his bravery, which, in his youth, sometimes
amounted to rashness, were the component parts of his
ability which thus caused his companions to follow his
leadership. His courage, promptitude, willingness, self-
reliance, caution, sympathy, and care for the wounded,
marked him at once as the master-mind and safest coun-
sellor. His first trapping expedition gained him so
much credit that, from the time it was concluded, he
found no difficulty in joining any band of trappers, no
matter how select the party. In this respect the
mountaineers resemble sea-faring men, who invariably

A YOUTHFUL HERO. 47

dislike new and untried hands, because such are so apt
to give more trouble than assistance. Green hands,
therefore, are treated with indifference when they apply
to be admitted as members on a contemplated hunt.
The reader will here see one difficulty which had to be
overcome by Carson, and which kept him so long in
want of employment. From this time Kit carried a
rifle and worked from an experience which commanded
admiration, respect, and esteem wherever he went, and
with whatever party he became connected. Like the
great Napoleon, when he joined the army for his first
campaign, he was a hero in spite of his youth among
men grown gray with experience.

48 EN ROUTE FOR NEW MEXICO.

OHAPTEE III.

The Return from California to New Mexico — San Fernando and the Peublo
of Los Angelos — Description of these Peublos — Passports demanded
at Los Angelos — Trouble with the Mexican Authorities — Kit Carson
sent on with the Pack Animals — One Trapper shoots another — The
Mexicans become frightened — Indians come into Camp with their
Weapons concealed — Cool Reception by Kit Carson — Paying off old
Scores — Recovering Stolen Property — Arrival at Santa Fe and Taos —
Money realized soon parted with — Carson joins another Expedition —
The Rivers trapped on — Four Men Killed by Blackfeet Indians — Kit
Carson joins Gaunt's Party — The Parks — Winter Quarters — Crow
Indian Depredations — Kit Carson and his Party in Pursuit — The
Fight — Winter on the Arkansas — Another Expedition — Two Desert-
ers— Kit Carson sent in Pursuit — The Fate of the Runaways — Adven-
tures with Indians — Hair-breadth Escape made by Kit Carson.

IN September, Mr. Young, having accomplished all
that he had intended, informed his men that he was
going to New Mexico. The homeward route was
through most of the country over which they had pre-
viously traveled. The preparations for the journey
having been completed, the party started, touching on
the way at the Mission of San Fernando, and thence
through to the Peublo of Los Angelos. Scattered over
various parts of the dominion of Old Mexico are these
Peublos, or Indian villages, called so because they aro
inhabited by Indians who bear that name. These are
the true descendants of the ancient Aztecs, who were
once the subjects of the Montezumas. They are usually
a quiet and industrious race, and are most devout in
their religious worship, according to the principles,

FIGHTING AGAINST FIRE-WATEK. 49

forms, and ceremonies of the Roman Catholic Church.
They have not failed to inherit the superstition of their
forefathers. Notwithstanding the changes which time,
with its cohorts of emigration, books, religious teach-
ings, association with other races, mechanics, science
and art, in greater or less degree, has introduced into
their country, and accomplished under their eyes, they
still believe that some day their great chief will return
to them ; accordingly, in each and every one of their
towns, they keep a watch-fire burning, in order, on his
advent, to let him know where his children live.

At Los Angelos, the Mexican authorities came' to the
trappers and demanded their passports. On finding
that such articles of paper authority did not form any
part of a trapper's outfit, they determined to arrest
them. Fear, however, prevented their determination
from assuming any very formidable action. Former
experience in a similar matter of official duty had taught
those Mexicans that the American trappers were men
of a peculiarly resolute nature. Fair and legitimate
means were, therefore, laid aside, and a foul policy
adopted. They commenced supplying them with " fire-
water," thus attacking them in a weak point. When
they should become fully inebriated, they considered
the matter of their arrest both easy and certain.

Mr. Young, seeing the intentions of the authorities,
and their underhanded method of carrying them out,
determined to thwart them. He directed Carson to
take three men, the loose animals, and the camp equi-
page, and move on, with the instructions, that if he did
not soon join him, to push on; that if he did not event-
ually overtake him, to report in New Mexico that the
main party had been massacred. Young succeeded in

50 SHOOTING WITHOUT PROVOCATION.

collecting his men as best he could, for they were yet
sufficiently sober to retain a little of their reason. The
treacherous Mexicans, however, continued annoying
the commander of the trappers by gratuitously offering
the men all the liquor they desired. One by one, the
trappers were allowing themselves to be easily con-
quered, as the effects of the liquor began to be more
active. They would soon have fallen a complete prey
to their enemies had not a most singular circumstance
put th*e Mexicans to flight. One of the trappers, named
James Higgins, without any provocation and without
any excuse, except that he was intoxicated, shot a man
named James Lawrence, inflicting a slight wound. Such
conduct so terrified the Mexicans that they took sudden
and precipitous leave. This happened, very fortunately,
before the party arrived at the mission of San Gabriel,
where they would all have been arrested, and perhaps
killed, by the Mexicans, aided by parties and re-inforce-
ments at the mission.

About dark, Young, by urging his half-drunken men
into a forced march, succeeded in overtaking Carson.
At the first supply of water, they went into camp. A
night of sleep soon set the brains of Young's trappers
once more to rights. The next day the party, most
of them sufficiently ashamed of their drunken debauch,
commenced with vigor the homeward march. They
continued nine days almost upon their former track,
when outward bound. On the ninth day, they once
more stood on the banks of the Colorado River.

While encamped on this stream, a band of five hun-
dred Indians made their appearance and entered the
camp. The rascals professed the greatest friendship
for the trappers, but their actions not fully measuring

AN UNPLEASANT SITUATION. 51

their words, the white men looked to Carson for advice.
He had discovered that beneath their articles of dress
their weapons were very carefully concealed ; and
from this circumstance it became quite clearly appar-
ent the Indians intended to massacre the entire party.
Here Carson's boldness proved, as it had before, and
did many a time afterwards, the safety of himself and
friends or associates. At the time the Indians entered
the camp, Carson, with only a few of the party, occu-
pied it ; the rest were out visiting their traps, which
it was their general custom to set whenever they ar-
rived at a suitable stream. Kit having thus become
satisfied concerning the design of the savages, and
feeling that the salvation of the entire party rested
upon his courage and wisdom, made up his mind that
boldness was the wisest policy he could adopt. He
found present among the warriors one who could
speak the Spanish language. Through him he ordered
the red men "to leave the camp. In the event of
their not doing so immediately, he and his friends
would, without further parley, commence hostilities,
and would be sure each in killing his man, although
they might all in the end lose their own lives."

The Indians had been accustomed to act about as
they chose with such small parties of Mexicans as they
chanced to meet, and consequently were taken com-
pletely by surprise at Kit's unusual boldness. Seeing
that they would inevitably lose several of their braves
if they made any hostile demonstration, they chose the
discreet part of best policy, and departed. As a gen-
eral rule, no matter what the profit or urgent necessity
which chance offers, these Indians will not hazard a
contest when, to a certainty, they must expect their

52 PAYING OLD SCORES.

own killed will equal the number of scalps which they
can obtain. This rule, and doubtless some Tearfulness
on the part of the Indians, saved the lives of the en-
tire band.

As has already appeared, the trappers were on the
banks of the Colorado at the time this affair happened.
They continued their work on it, descending the south
side until they reached tide water, when they changed
their camp on to the Gila, and continued trapping up
this river as far as the mouth of the San Pedro. Near
the outlet of this river, they discovered a large herd of
horses and mules ; on a closer examination, they found
that they were in the possession of a band of Indians
who had formerly given them some of their gratuitous
hostilities. Not having forgotten their former troubles
with these people, they determined to pay them off in
their own coin by depriving them of the herd. A short
search sufficed to discover the Indian camp. Without
waiting an instant, they put their horses to their speed
and charged in among the huts. The Indians were so
completely taken by surprise, that they became panic-
struck and fled in every direction. They, however,
rallied somewhat, and a running fight commenced
which lasted some time, but which did not change
matters in favor of the Indians. The entire herd fell
into the possession of the trappers.

On the same evening, after the men had wrapped
themselves up in their blankets and laid down for a
sleep, and while enjoying their slumbers, a noise
reached their ears which sounded very much like dis-
tant thunder; but a close application of the sense of
hearing showed plainly that an enemy was near at hand.
Springing, up with rifle in hand — for generally in the

RECOVERING STOLEN PROPERTY. 53

mountains a man's gun rests in the same blanket with
himself on all sleeping occasions — they sallied forth to
reconnoitre, and discovered a few warriors driving
along a band of at least two hundred horses. The
trappers comprehended instantly that the warriors
had been to the Mexican settlements in Sonora on a
thieving expedition, and that the horses had changed
hands with only one party to the bargain. The oppor-
tunity to instill a lesson on the savage marauders was
too good to be lost.

They saluted the thieves with a volley from their
rifles, which, with the bullet-whizzing about their
heads and bodies, so astonished them, that they
seemed almost immediately to forget their stolen
property, and to think only of a precipitous flight.
In a few moments the whites found themselves mas-
ters of the field, and also of the property. To return
the animals to their owners was an impossibility ; Mr.
Young, therefore, selected as many of the best horses
as he needed for himself and men, and game being very
scarce, killed two and dried most of the meat for future
use, turning the remainder loose. Such either became
wild mustangs or fell again into the clutches of the In-
dians. The company then renewed their trapping, and
continued it up the Gila to a point opposite the copper
mines of New Mexico. Here they left the river and
proceeded to the copper mines, where they found Mr.
Robert McKnight engaged in trading with the neigh-
boring Indian tribes. These mines were not then, and
ever since have not been, worked. The holes which
had many years before been made by the miners — but
who they were, is unknown — formed a safe hiding-
place for their skins. The stock of beaver was, there-

54 THE DESERTED MINES.

fore, placed under the care of Mr. McKnight. Young
and his men then renewed their march, and in due
time arrived safely at Santa Fe. Here they purchased
licenses to trade with the Indians who lived about the
copper mines. With these licenses as protection pa-
pers, they returned to where the skins were concealed.
Having once more recovered their fur, they returned
with it to Santa Fe. The deserted mines of New Mex-
ico show incontrovertible signs of having been success-
fully and extensively worked, at some remote period,
for various kinds of metals. They have proved a
knotty historical problem to many an investigating
mind ; for their authentic history has fallen, and prob-
ably will ever remain in oblivion. It may have been
that about a century ago the Spaniards, with Indian
assistants, worked them ; and the savages becoming
hostile to their employers, in some sudden fit of frenzy
may have massacred the Spaniards. There is a legen-
dary story circulating, similar to the traditions of the
Indians, giving this explanation. The more probable
hypothesis, however, is that the Indians themselves,
many centuries in the past, were versed to some extent
in the art of mining, and carried on the business in
these mines; but from indolence, or, to them, useless-
ness of the metals, the work was abandoned, and their
descendants failed to obtain the knowledge which their
ancestors possessed. These mines, and those which ex-
ist nearer to the large towns, will some day render
New Mexico a profitable and rich field for the learned
antiquary.

The ruse which Mr. Young found absolutely neces-
sary to employ, in order to blind the Mexican author-
ities, succeeded so well, that when the fur arrived at

HAVING A " GLORIOUS " TIME. 55

Santa Fe, every one considered the trappers had made
a very good trade. The amount of beaver thus brought
in amounted to two thousand pounds. The market
price was twelve dollars per pound. The proceeds,
therefore, of the entire trip, were nearly twenty-four
thousand dollars. The division of this handsome sum
gave to each man several hundred dollars. It was
during the month of April, 1830, that Mr. Young's
party again reached the town of Taos. Here they dis-
banded, having completed their enterprise. Like as
Jack, when he returns from his battles with old ocean,
having a pocket well lined with hard earnings, fails
not to plunge into excess, with the determination to
make up for the pleasure lost by years of toil, the brave
mountaineers courted merry-making. From their own
accounts, they passed a short time gloriously. This
similarity of disposition between trappers and sailors,
in regard to pleasure's syren cup and its consequent
draft upon their treasures, causing them to forget the
risk of life and limb and the expense of their valuable
time, is most remarkable. These hardy trappers, like
reliable old salts, proved to be as true to the bowl as
they had been to their steel ; for, most of the party, in
a very brief space of time, were penniless and ready to
be fitted out for another expedition. Young Kit, at
this period of his life, imitated the example set by his
elders, for he wished to be considered by them as an
equal and a friend. He, however, passed through this
terrible ordeal, which most frequently ruins its votary,
and eventually came out brighter, clearer and more no-
ble for the conscience-polish which he received. He
contracted no bad habits, but learned the usefulness and
happiness of resisting temptation, and became so well

56 MURDERED BY BLACKFEET.

schooled that he was able, by the caution and advice
cf wisdom founded on experience, to prevent many
a promising and skillful hand from grasping ruin in
the same vortex.

The scenes of pleasure lasted until the fall of 1830.
Kit then joined his second trapping expedition. This
band had been formed ior the purpose of trapping the
principal streams of the Rocky Mountains. Mr. Fitz-
patrick, a trapper well known and respected by the
mountaineers, had charge of the party. He was, at
that time, well acquainted by experience with the
Rocky Mountains, and has, since then, gained an envi-
able fame as an Indian agent. The new party traveled
north and commenced operations on the Platte River,
which they followed down stream to one of its tribu-
taries, the Sweet Water River. From here they worked
on until they reached the Green River. Hence they
journeyed to Jackson's Hole, which is a fork of the
Great Columbia River. After making a short stay at
this point they started for the Salmon River. Here
they were joined by a band of their own party, who
had left Taos some days in advance of the main body,
and for whom they were then hunting. The whole
party, as now organized, remained where they were-
throughout the winter of 1830 and 1831, employed in
killing -only the amount of game necessary for their
sustenance. An unfortunate affair here happened to
them. Four of their men, while hunting buffalo, were
attacked and killed by a party of Blackfeet Indians.
No other incident occurred during the winter to
change the everyday routine.

In April, 1831, they recommenced trapping, shaping
their course for Snake River. Nothing can equal the

MAGNIFICENT SCENERY. 59

magnificence and grandeur of the country through
which they were now traveling. Shoshonee Falls,
situated on Shoshonee or Snake River, are in many
respects vastly more beautiful and attractive than
Niagara. The torrent is less, and its crescent-summit
appears less than a thousand feet wide ; but the de-
scent is more than one -third greater, being over two
hundred feet; while above the brink, grand and im-
posing monuments of lava rise hundreds of feet on
each bank, supplying an element of grandeur which
the monarch of cataracts does not possess. The fall
itself is of the purest white, interspersed with myriads
of sparkling, glassy drops — a cataract of snow with an
avalanche of jewels. " Mocking and belittering all hu-
man splendor, Nature is here in her lace and pearls, —
her robe of diamonds and tiara of rainbow." Carson
often spoke CH' these falls as being the grandest of any
he had ever seen.

From Snake River, they worked down to Bear
River, which is the principal stream that empties into
GREAT SALT LAKE. Thence they returned to Green

^River, where they found some trappers under the com-
mand of Mr. Sinclair, who left New Mexico soon after
Mr. Fitzpatrick's party, and had wintered on the Bear
Rivev. Among many other facts, they learned from
tills party that Captain Gaunt, who was an old moun-
taineer, wi-11 known to most of the whites present, had
pasdifu the winter on the Laramie River, and that he
was then with his men in the South Park. Kit Carson

) and four of his companions determined to join him.
For this purpose they started, and, after ten days of
steady travel, found his party.

There are many of these Parks in the Rocky Moun-

60 BEAUTIFUL PARKS.

tains, and they are a distinctive and remarkable feature
of this mountain centre of Colorado. As their names
imply, they are fair, natural examples of the manufac-
tured parks- of civilization. In some things, Nature has
lavished upon them charms and beauties which no
human skill can imitate. Most of these Parks are, of
course, petite — little wide valleys around the heads of
single streams, or the conjunctions of several, or the
homes of lonely lakes ; but there are four great
ones, that mark the phenomenon and give the name.
These are North Park, Middle Park, South Park, and
San Luis Park, varying in size from twenty by fifty
miles, to one hundred by two hundred, or, say, from
Rhode Island to Massachusetts. These Parks are
favorite haunts of the deer, antelope, and elk, while the
streams which run through them a re well stocked with
otter and beaver.

Kit and his companions were graciously received by
Gaunt ; and with him they trapped the streams in the
vicinity of the North Park and the plains of Laramie to
the south fork of the Platte. Having finished here, they
left for the Arkansas, remaining there while their cap-
tain went to Taos to dispose of their stock of furs and
to make such purchases of necessaries as the men re-
quired. Gaunt returned after an absence of t\vo mouths,
when trapping operations were resumed on the Arkai
River, which they trapped until it froze over. The
party then went into winter quarters.

The businessof trapping for beaver is no child's play.
A person unaccustomed to it may possibly look upon it
as no very difficult task. A single trial is usually suffi-
cient to satisfy the uninitiated on this point ; for, the
beaver, above all other wild animals of America, is en-

INDIANS VS. BEAYER. 61

dowed with an extraordinary amount of instinct. His
handiwork and habits sufficiently attest this.

There are bands of Indians living in the north-west-
ern part of America who really believe that the beaver
has almost as much intelligence as an Indian, holding
and maintaining that all the difference that exists be-
tween a beaver and an Indian is, that the latter has
been endowed by the Great Spirit with power and
capabilities to catch the former. Some of the stories
which old mountaineers occasionally inflict upon an in-
quisitive traveler are somewhat startling ; nevertheless,
what this amphibious animal really performs is truly
astounding, and oftentimes the truth fails to gain cre-
dence.

During the winter the trappers had many very
pleasant times, for they had little work beyond the
task of making themselves comfortable. The snow
fell to a great depth, which proved rather hard for
their animals. By dint of cutting down cotton-wood
trees and gathering the bark and branches for fodder,
they managed to prevent them from dying of starva-
tion. The buffalo existed about there in great abun-
dance ; and, early in the winter, they had taken the
precaution to kill and prepare a large supply of this
kind of game, while it was in good condition. As the
season advanced, therefore, the trappers found them-
selves living quite sumptuously.

In the month of January, the daily routine of their
lives was rather unpleasantly disturbed. A party of
fifty Crow Indians made an unfriendly visit to their
camp on one very dark night. They succeeded in
stealing nine of their loose animals, with which they
escaped unperceived. Early the next morning, the

62 CROW INDIAN DEPREDATIONS.

signs of the Indians were discovered. Kit Carson,
with twelve of his companions, immediately saddled
their horses and started in pursuit. It was very diffi-
cult to follow the trail of the Indians, from the fact
that many herds of buffalo had crossed and repeatedly
recrossed it during the night, making the tracks very
indistinct. Having traveled forty miles, their horses,
which were very poor in flesh, became fatigued, caus-
ing them to think of making a halt. After due con-
sultation, it was agreed that they had best go into
camp. With this object in view, they traveled towards
some timber which was near by. On arriving at the
woods, the advance of the party, to their surprise and
not less to their 'satisfaction, discovered the smoke of
their enemies' fires. The distance between the parties
was inconsiderable ; but, in order that their move-
ments might be made unobserved, the trappers re-
treated to a secluded spot where they awaited the
night, judging it best to take the party by surprise.
Their first care was to secure and provide for their
animals. The second was to prepare their arms. As
soon as it would do for them to move, they started,
eager for the strife. It was judged best first to make
a half circuit and then approach the Indians from the
direction they themselves were traveling, as from this
source, they wisely judged the red men would be less
apprehensive of an attack. Their movements were
made slowly and with great care, in order not to
alarm the savages. Having obtained a position close
enough to observe the strength of their enemies, they
stopped to reconnoitre. The men then crept for a
long distance on their hands and knees, until finally
they obtained a full view of the Indians, which showed

AFTER THE THIEVES. 63

them that the savages had erected two rough forts and
that they were now divided into two parties. A dance
was in progress in honor of the robbery so recently
perpetrated, which proved, conclusively, that they
were without even a suspicion of danger. Just out-
side one of the forts, the nine stolen animals were se-
curely tied. This sight did not tend to allay the wrath
of the trappers. They resolved that, come what might,
the attempt to regain their property and punish the In-
dians should be made notwithstanding their strength.
To insure success in spite of their weakness, they de-
termined to conceal themselves and wait quietly until
the Indians had lain down for sleep. During this time
of suspense the trappers were subjected to great suf-
fering, for the weather was intensely cold, and they
possessed but a scanty allowance of clothing fit for
such work. But as there is an end to all things, there
was an end to the dance and other festivities, and the
savages sought their rest. At last the time for action
arrived. Kit Carson and five of his companions com-
menced crawling towards the stolen horses, which, on
reaching, were easily set free by cutting their halters.
They then threw snow-balls at them, and by this
means drove them away without disturbing the sleep-
ing Indians. The trappers who acted as a reserve
party soon after joined Kit and his companions ; ancl,
after retreating some distance in order to be out of the
hearing of the enemy, they held a council to obtain
the views of each member of the -party as to their
next step. It appeared that a difference of opinion
existed ; some of the men were in favor of returning,
having recovered their property and sustained no dam-
age. The remainder, those who had lost no animals,

64 THE MINORITY RULES.

wanted satisfaction for the trouble and hardship they
had undergone while in pursuit of the thieves. Kit
Carson and two others composed this latter party, and
thus were determined to punish the thieves, let the
consequences of the attempt be ever so fatal. The
more peaceful party, seeing this earnestness, could not
do otherwise than lend their aid in the fight, and
cheerfully did so.

There always existed such a feeling of brotherly love
among the old trappers of the Kocky Mountains, that
the hour of peril was never the hour for separation or
desertion. This instance affords a fair example how
the minority could easily rule the majority when the
minority held to the side of danger. The whole band
were now unanimous in favor of the attack.

Kit Carson, who had from the first acted as captain,
ordered three men to take the recovered animals back
to where they had secured their saddle-horses. Then,
with his comrades, he marched directly for the Indian
camp A dog belonging to the enemy first gave the
alarm of approaching danger to the Indians, but not
until Kit and his party were within a few paces of the
first fort. As soon as the occupants of the fort heard
the noise they sprang to their feet, and thus became
fair marks for the unerring rifles of the trappers. The
whites did not throw away a single shot ; every ball
struck a warrior in some vital spot. Those who sur-
vived retreated to the fort occupied by their friends,
and, as soon as possible, commenced returning the fire ;
but without execution, as the trappers, on discharging
their first volley, had well concealed themselves behind
trees, from whence they were shooting only when sure
of an object. It was now nearly daybreak, and, as the

A DESPERATE FIGHT. 65

savages discovered the weakness of the attacking party,
they resolved to charge, feeling sure of success. They
did so ; but the white men, who were expert fighters in
this kind of warfare, quietly waited until the Indians
were fully exposed. They then fired and killed five
warriors. The remainder immediately retreated into
the fort.

After considerable deliberation, the Indians decided
once more to make a sortie. On they came, and this
time with such determination that the trappers could
not withstand the assault, but were compelled to retreat.
They disputed, however, every inch of ground over
which they trod, as they fell back from one tree to
another, continually making their bullets tell with ter-
rible effect on their foes. The three men who had been
sent back with the horses had joined their comrades
soon after they had commenced retreating. They had
heard the incessant firing and had become convinced
that the fight was hotly contested and that their ser-
vices were required. On their joining, the whole party
resolved to make one more stand, and as soon as the
Indians saw this, they wavered and finally drew off.
Both sides had now, seemingly, had enough of fight-
ing, and hostilities soon after entirely ceased, the
savages marching back and leaving the whites masters
of the field. Several of the trappers were slightly, but
none dangerously, wounded. The Indians had paid
dearly, in numbers killed, for their rascality. Finding
the coast clear, Carson and his men set out and soon
rejoined their comrades on the Arkansas River. In the
Spring, after having cached their fur, the whole band
departed for Laramie River on another expedition.

While on the south fork of the Platte, two of the

66 THIEVING DESERTERS.

party deserted, taking with them three of their best
animals. Suspecting their design, Gaunt sent Kit Car-
son and another man in pursuit of the fugitives, who
had one day the start. As was suspected, the two de-
serters 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. Doubt-
less 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 com-
rade, after finding that the two deserters had thus suc-
ceeded 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 deter-
mine 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, there-
fore, determined to remain where they were, in the old
camp ; and, to this end, immediately arranged every-

A PERILOUS POSITION. 67

thing 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 rude fort
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 re-
lieved from their perilous position. Mr. Blackwell,
Mr. G aunt'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 look-
ing 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 find-
ing 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.*

These springs form the head waters of the south
fork of the River Platte. When four days' journey
had been accomplished, and while they were partaking
of their breakfast in the camp, an alarm of Indians was
given by one of the men. He had accidentally discov-
ered the red-skin rascals as they were prowling about
the camp. A rush was immediately made by the trap-
pers, with rifles in hand, to save their horses. Shots

* Salt Springs.

68 TOO POLITE TO STAY.

were fired and one Indian fell. The rest of the band
made off as empty-handed as they came, with one ex-
ception. One brave had succeeded in capturing and
mounting a horse before the white men could reach
him. Notwithstanding he had a dead brother lying on
the ground, he appeared to be altogether too polite
to make the trappers a longer visit ; at least, without
a proper introduction. On the contrary, he galloped
off, seemingly quite proud of his trophy. Had it not
been that the trappers had taken the precaution to
hobble their horses before turning them out to
graze, they would have lost them all in this at-
tempted stampede.

These stampedes are a source of great profit to the
Indians of the Plains. It is by this means they de-
prive the caravans of their animals. The Camanches
are particularly expert and daring in this kind of rob-
bery. They even train horses to run from one given
point to another in expectancy of caravans. When a
camp is made which is nearly in range, they turn their
trained animals loose, who at once fly across the plain,
penetrating and passing through the c.amp of their vic-
tims. All of the picketed animals will endeavor to fol-
low, and usually succeed in following the trained horses.
Such are invariably led into the haunts of the thieves,
who easily secure them. Young horses and mules are
easily frightened ; and, in the havoc which generally
ensues, oftentimes great injury is done to the runaways
themselves. The sight of a stampede on a grand scsik'
requires steady nerves to witness without tremor; and,
woe to the footman who cannot get out of the way
when the frightened animals come along. At times,
when the herd is very large, the horses scatter over

TERRORS OF A STAMPEDE. 69

the open country and are irrecoverably lost ; and, such
as do not become wild, fall a prey to the ravenous
wolves. Such, most frequently, is the fate of stam-
peded horses which have been bred in the States, not
being trained by a prairie-life experience to take care
of themselves. Instead of bravely stopping and fight-
ing off the wolves, they run. The whole pack are sure
to leave the bolder animals and make for the runaways,
which they seldom fail to overtake and dispatch. Some
years since, one of these stampedes occurred on the
plains of a band of horses, in which there were several
hundred valuable animals. It wras attended with very
heavy loss to the owners. Through the courage and
great exertions of those who had the animals in charge,
many were recovered, but none without having sus-
tained more or less injury.

A favorite policy of the Indian horse thieves is to
creep into camp, cut loose one animal and thoroughly
frighten him. This animal seldom fails to frighten
the remainder, wrhen away they all go, writh long ropes
and picket pins dangling after them. The latter some-
times act like harpoons, being thrown with such impe-
tus as to strike and instantly kill a valuable steed
from among the brother runaways. At other times,
the limbs of the running horses get entangled in the
ropes, when they are suddenly thrown. Such seldom
escape without broken legs or severe contusions, which
are often incurable. The necessity of traveling on, at
any rate, renders it an impossibility to undertake the
cure, when it might be practicable under other cir-
cumstances.

The day of the attempted stampede, the party trav-
eled fifty miles, and thought themselves well clear of

70 RECONCILED TO RATTLESNAKES.

their treacherous enemy, as there were no visible signs
of their presence. The experience of the day, how-
ever, had admonished them to be on their guard against
surprise. To make things sure as to their animals,
they fastened them to stakes driven in the earth, suf-
ficient rope being given them for grazing. The place
selected for their camp was a beautiful spot, being on
a small stream which empties into the Arkansas, the
Water of which is sparkling and clear. There are
many of these charming little brooks which, emptying
into, form this river. To the general traveler, how-
ever, they present one great drawback as eligible
camping sites. Their banks are usually pretty thickly
lined with rattlesnakes. The mountaineer is quite well
accustomed and reconciled to this venomous reptile, as
they abound in nearly every section of his hunting and
trapping grounds. Not so, however, with the mere vis-
itor of, or casual traveler over, the Western Territories.
To them his rattlesnakeship is a formidable personage.
The rattlesnake rarely moves after sunset. The night
air is generally too chilling for him. In the day-
time they are a noble enemy, always warning their
antagonists of their hostile intentions by springing
their rattles, thus giving a person warning of his
danger. By these two wise provisions of the Creator,
the power of this otherwise terrible reptile is so lim-
ited or restrained, that the trapper rarely gives him a
thought unless he comes in direct contact. Although
they are so numerous, it very seldom happens that
either the Indian or the trapper is bitten by them.

The party had not been long at rest before their sus-
picions were aroused that hostile Indians were near
them. A faithful dog belonging to the camp kept up

ATTACKED BY INDIANS. 71

a furious barking, much more lustily than when wolves
annoyed him. An extra guard was therefore imme-
diately posted, when the remainder of the party lay
down ; but, not for sleep. They expected at every
moment that their services would be needed to defend
the camp. Everything, however, passed as usual dur-
ing the night; and, with the morning, all suspicion
was laid aside. Kit Carson, with three companions,
proposed a visit to a fork of a river close by, to look
for signs of beaver. They had been informed that
these animals were numerous in this particular stream.
Carson and the three men had been absent about one
hour when the signs of Indians proved to be realities,
in the shape of a bold and well-sustained charge upon
their camp. The rascals succeeded in running off all
of their loose animals.

Four of the men immediately saddled the fleetest of
the remaining horses, and instantly gave chase. After
a quick run they came upon the savages, and immedi-
ately gave them battle. A sharp skirmish ensued, in
which one of the warriors was killed, when the remain-
der fled, leaving the property once more in the hands
of its rightful owners. The men, however, did not
come off entirely safe. One of them received a very
severe wound, which eventually gave him considerable
difficulty, but from the effects of which he finally re-
covered.

Kit and his companions, in the meantime, in order
to reach their destination, found it necessary, unless
they should take a long and circuitous route, to cross
one of those lofty peaks for which the Rocky Mountains
are so famous. The ascent was, however, commenced
and successfully accomplished ; but, not without labor

72 UNSUCCESSFUL TRAPPING.

and an occasional resting-place being sought for breath-
ing their animals. In due time, they reached the desired
stream ; but the beaver signs did not appear. Finding
their errand had proved entirely useless, they started
to return into camp. Experience had taught them
that the longest way round was, in this case, the
quickest way home. Taking, therefore, a circuitous
route, they avoided recrossing the lofty mountain
peak already alluded to. As they were riding care-
lessly homeward, beguiling the time with anecdote and
remark upon their future prospects, or the scenery
around them, with an occasional sight at some kind of
game, what should appear ahead of them but four In-
dian warriors, remarkably well mounted, painted and
decked with feathers, showing, conclusively, that they
were out upon the war-path. As soon as Kit and his
companions saw the warriors, and without one word as
to their proper and best action being interchanged,
they simultaneously put spurs to their horses and
dashed at the Indians in order quickly to bring them
within range of their rifles. The pace became a hot
one; but, as suddenly as the charge had been com-
menced, so suddenly the trappers found that they had,
this time, "caught a Tartar;" for, as they dashed on,
sixty warriors, fully armed and splendidly mounted,
came into view from beneath a hill where they were
awaiting in ambush.

There was but one course for the trappers to take,
and that was to run the gauntlet, which they did in gal-
lant style, although twenty yards would have frequently
measured the distance between them and the hostile
savages. The bullets from the rifles of the Indians
flew about their ears thick and fast, for a heavy fire was

KUNNING THE GAUNTLET. 73

opened upon them, as they passed, and incessantly, kept
up until they were out of their reach. The trappers
did not return a shot. It would not have been accord-
ing to their custom. There is no one thing Simon-
pure trappers consider to be a greater folly than firing
their rifles on such an occasion as is here described.
There is nothing they so much dread as being left on
foot with an empty gun and no time to load, when per-
haps a single shot, might change defeat into victory,,
sure captivity into freedom, or a dead companion into a
laughing, jolly and lovable helpmate, ready for setting
a trap or to engage in the next bloody skirmish. This
must inevitably happen if, after the rider has fired,
among the score or so of passing bullets, one of them,
perchance, took a peculiar fancy for a vital organ of
his horse. The mortally wounded animal would make
no account of dismounting his master and leaving him
to the tender mercies of the refined savages. In every
close and unequal contest, such as above detailed, they
only think of the surest and speediest method of escape,
leaving revenge to be obtained on some more fitting
and favorable occasion. For some unaccountable rea-
son the savages did not give chase.

As soon as Carson and his comrades had got out of
the reach of the Indians, they began to recall the sus-
picions concerning signs of Indians which their faithful
dog had aroused. Fears for the safety of their com-
panions arose accordingly. Therefore, giving spurs to
their horses, they pushed on with vigor to know the
worst. The facts that awaited them at camp concern-
ing the attack by the Indians, stealing and rescue of the
horses, gave them, therefore, but little surprise. They
had already surmised the reason why the Indians had

74 AWAITING AN OPPORTUNITY.

thus set a trap for them. Having been watching the
camp during the night, and finding the white men fully
on the alert and carefully guarding against any sur-
prise, they had quietly waited until suspicion of their
proximity had been entirely laid aside. The departure
of Carson and his companions from camp was doubtless
seen by the savages, and afforded them a clear proof
that the white men had forgotten their fears. As Kit's
departure with the men weakened the camp party, the
Indians had gathered together sufficient courage to
make a bold charge for the coveted plunder. The final
result, however, which led to their losing the stolen
property, and the life of one of their braves, had caused
them to think of an attack upon Kit's party, thus ob-
taining by its massacre, revenge for their dead com-
panion ; and the horses which Kit and his comrades
rode would have been a consolation for their failure
to retain the horses obtained at the camp. The attack
was skillfully planned, and would undoubtedly have
succeeded but for the unexpected daring and prompti-
tude displayed by Kit and his comrades. The Indians
had not looked for the bold charge upon their advance
party, but, on the contrary, they had been prepared for
a chase and fight in the opposite direction. Had such a
sk i rmish taken place, nothing beyond an absolute miracle,
or change of the laws of nature, could have saved the
little band. Kit and his friends had reason, therefore,
to be very thankful for their safety. They all felt that
they had retained their scalps by a very close shave.
To use the expressive language of Carson, employed in
narrating the event: "The red-skins made a good at-
tempt, but, thank God, failed."

Two of the trappers had received, in this affray,

A LITTER FOR THE WOUNDED. iO

wounds which proved to be of a serious nature, much
more so than they or their companions thought on the
first examination given them. In consequence, the
whole party was obliged to halt and again go into
camp, having accomplished but a very short remove
from their savage foes. It became necessary to main-
tain a strong and careful guard during the succeeding
night, notwithstanding the labors of the past day and
night had been more than usually arduous. However,
they succeeded in passing the night without further
molestation. The next morning it was found necessary
to make a litter for one of the wounded men, whose
condition had grown to be much worse.

The method which the mountaineers adopt for making
a litter, they have taken from the Indians, and is as
follows : Take two strong poles, six feet of which, at
either extremity, is allowed for shafts, or handles, while
the patient lies in the intermediate space on a buffalo
robe, or strong sacking, whichever is most convenient.
Two mules or horses of the same size are then selected ;
and, to saddles upon each of the animals, the poles, at
their extremities, are fastened. Another and simpler
plan, but one not so comfortable to the patient, is to
take the two poles as before and attach them strongly
to a saddle on but one animal, while the two ends are
allowed to drag upon the ground. Directly in the rear
of the horse the patient's bed is affixed. If the poles
are long they will act as springs, especially when the
wood used is of a kind which has considerable elas-
ticity.

Having arranged everything to the satisfaction and
comfort of the wounded men, the party commenced
their march, and in four days reached Gaunt's camp,

76 UNFAVORABLE BUSINESS PROSPECTS.

where they rested until the wounded men had nearly
recovered. This simple fact shows the careful and
sympathizing care which the mountaineers of the West
ever exhibit towards each other in distress. It speaks
more than would volumes of mere praise, concerning
their character for true manhood.

When the wounded men had so far recovered that
they could safely proceed, the whole party, now quite
strong in its numerical power, as well as skill and
mountaineer experience, departed for, and, in due time,
arrived at the Middle Park. The coveted beaver,
however, were scarce there, for other trappers had pre-
ceded them, and, to employ trapping phrase, "had
caught all the fur in those streams that could be taken
that season." This was an unpleasant condition for
their business prospects; but, as the old adage hath it,
" what could not be cured was quietly endured." Catch-
ing beaver is not always a matter of choice. The bea-
ver themselves have considerable to say on the subject.

KIT IIUNTS ON HIS OWN ACCOUNT. 77

CHAPTER IV.

Kit Carson and two Companions plan a Hunt for themselves — The Great
Success met with — Return to Taos — Sale of the Beaver Fur — Kit
Carson joins Captain Lee and goes on a Trading Expedition — Winter
Quarters — Kit Carson is sent in Pursuit of a Thief— Overtakes and is
obliged to Shoot the Runaway — Property Recovered — The Return to
the Camp — The Sale of Goods — Kit Carson joins Fitzpatrick and
Party — Kit Carson organizes a Hunting Party — His Encounter with
two Grizzly Bears — The Summer Rendezvous — Kit Carson joins fifty
Trappers and goes to the Country of the Blackfeet Indians — Annoy-
ances received from these Indians — Winter Quarters in 1832 — Horses
Stolen — Kit Carson and eleven Men in Pursuit — A Parley — A Fight —
Kit Carson severely Wounded — His great Sufferings and Fortitude —
His Convalescence — The Retreat — A New Expedition — A Braggado-
cio— Kit Carson Fights a Duel and Wounds his Man — Duels in the
Rocky Mountains in Olden Times.

THE fortunes of Gaunt's party in not finding game
continued to grow darker and darker as they traveled
from stream to stream. The men began to grow dis-
heartened at this succession of, failures. Kit Carson,
finally, became so tired of going empty-handed, that he
resolved to try a hunt upon his own account. On
stating his intentions to the party, two of his old com-
panions offered to join him. These were gladly accepted
by Kit ; and, had they not been deterred by the con-
sideration that their dangers would be greatly aug-
mented if they worked with so small a party, others
would most willingly have joined his company. With
the good wishes, therefore, of Gaunt and his entire band,

78 SPLENDID SUCCESSo

Kit and his two brave comrades boldly and confidently
commenced their march.

The plan Kit adopted was to confine his operations
exclusively to the mountain streams, and not to venture
out upon the prairie. By taking this course he hoped
to avoid much of the danger to be apprehended from
Indians.

For several months they followed the business of
trapping without being in any way annoyed by the
red-skins. Their success was abundant. At the end of
the season they had gathered together a splendid stock
of beaver fur, and began to think of a homeward trip.
Having made everything ready, they finally started for
Taos. True, their party was small, and the risks they
ran of attacks from hostile and covetous Indians were
imminent ; but fortune or Providence favored them, and
there was finally a satisfactory end to their anxieties,
for, after a quick march over the plains, they arrived
safely at Taos. Beaver fur was, at the time of their
arrival, in great demand, and prices ruled correspond-
ingly high. Kit and his comrades obtained the benefit
of this state of the market, and disposed of their fine
stock to great advantage.

The money realized, so far as Kit's two comrades were
concerned, was soon expended in fleeting pleasures and
a new outfit for the next trapping expedition which
might offer. Kit's former experience had been suffi-
cient on this score, and he had become impressed with
the highly important fact that there existed a much
wiser course to be pursued. With his characteristic
consistency, Kit acted upon this conviction and wisely
saved his hard earnings.

While remaining at Taos, Kit Carson met with Cap-

GOING INTO WINTER QUARTERS. 79

tain Lee, formerly of the United States Army, but at
this time a partner of Bent and St. Vrain, two names
as familiarly known to the mountaineers as the house-
hold words of their boyhood days.

Captain Lee was purchasing goods for the purpose of
trading with and supplying the trappers. He desired
Kit Carson to join in his enterprise, and made him an
offer, which was accepted.

In the latter part of October, 1832, with their goods
well packed and properly fitted for the rough transporta-
tion which they must necessarily be subjected to, they
set out to find the trappers. They traveled for some
distance on a route well known as the " Old Spanish
Trail," which was nothing more than a mule-path lead-
ing from New Mexico to California.

Having arrived safely at White River, they continued
their march down stream, following the windings of the
river until they came to Green River. Green River
they forded, and then struck across the country for the
Winty River, which is a branch of the Green River.

Here they found Mr. Robidoux, who had a party of
twenty men in his employ, and who was engaged both
in trapping and trading, according as opportunity pre-
sented itself. Soon after these parties met, snow began
to fall, indicating the approach of the cold season. A
mutual understanding having been arrived at, the two
parties joined together, and began to establish winter
quarters suitable for the whole.

They selected a site for -their permanent camp on
the Winty River, at its mouth, where the men made
themselves as comfortable as possible under such cir-
cumstances. They were provided with skin lodges, so
common among the Indians of America, and which, ac-

80 MISPLACED CONFIDENCE.

cording to Kit's mountaineering experience, are very
comfortable substitutes for houses.

During the winter Mr. Robidoux lost six of his most
valuable and high-priced horses, in the following man-
ner. Attached to the camp there was a California In-
dian who was employed by Mr. Robidoux, a keen and
shrewd savage ; and one, whose acquaintance with the
trappers had enabled him to gain the confidence of Mr.
Robidoux. He was also an expert with the rifle, and
possessed undoubted courage with great bodily strength
and activity. These qualifications made him a trouble-
some customer in a skirmish.

This Indian's education on the score of property
rights had not been as well attended to as the meth-
ods of attack and defence in the chase and on the war-
path. By some, not strange, personal argument, he
concluded to appropriate the six valuable horses above
mentioned, in the law wordy vocabulary of civilization,
" to his own use, benefit and behoof, without asking the
consent, good-will, approbation, permission and personal
directions of the said owner, to wit, Mr. Robidoux."

As these horses were worth, even at that remote
spot on the great American Continent, the just and full
sum of two hundred dollars each, making a round sum
total of twelve hundred dollars, Mr. Robidoux was not
content to pocket the loss, or, much less, to allow the
rascal to enjoy ill-gotten wealth on the principle that
" stolen fruit is sweet." He determined if possible to
show him that some stolen fruit is bitter.

Knowing Kit Carson's reputation for skill and his
fearless disposition, as soon as he had discovered his
loss, he came and requested him to pursue the Indian.
Kit Carson was a man who never worked without orders

CARSON AFTER THE ROBBER. 81

except when he was leader. He therefore informed Cap-
tain Lee of Mr. Robidoux's request, and asked permis-
sion to serve his friend. This, as a matter of course,
was readily granted by Captain Lee, when Kit instantly
made his preparations for the adventure. He was very
soon on horseback, well armed and well prepared for
hard and close work.

There chanced, near by to the camp, to be an Indian
village belonging to the Utah tribe. The whites were
on friendly terms with the inhabitants of this village,
which determined Carson to seek out from among their
warriors, one active and intelligent brave, and get him
to join in the chase. This was the more easily accom-
plished, as Carson's reputation for skill, courage and
experience was already well kno\vn in this tribe. He,
himself, had made a large circle of acquaintances among
the braves, and many of them had become strongly at-
tached to him, for it is a fact well known, that the
American Indian warrior, as a general rule, is as true
and unchangeable in his friendships as he is intense
in his hatred. With this in view, Carson, putting
his horse to his speed, started for the Utah village.
On making his errand known to such of the braves as
enjoyed his confidence, he found no difficulty in engag-
ing a well-known warrior, and one on whom he knew
he could rely, to accompany him. The wily savage
was soon ready for the march, when Kit gave the word
to start. Both men were splendidly mounted, and their
pace wras that of no sluggard. The high-conditioned
animals which they rode seemed to catch the eager
spirit of their masters, and entering into it, bent them-
selves to their work with determination accordingly.
To discover the trail of the deserter, and to study its

82 AN UNPLEASANT PREDICAMENT.

various characteristics, a science of no mean or useless
order in the matter of a woodman's education, required
the two men to slacken their pace for a short time.
The tracks made hy the stolen animals, however, were
well marked, and, to such practiced eyes, afforded a
certain indication as to their route. Again putting
their horses to their speed, with compressed lips and
eyes directed to the trail before them, Carson and the
Indian warrior dashed on, feeling confident that, if the
rascal escaped with his ill-gotten booty, the sin would
not be laid upon their shoulders. The trail led down
the Green Kiver. This fact made Carson conclude
that California was the destination aimed at in the
deserter's calculations. Kit and his Indian brave had
accomplished about one hundred miles, having not once
lost sight of the trail, when, most unfortunately for Kit,
the horse of the Indian was suddenly taken sick and his
strength gave out completely. The Indian could go no
further except on foot, and this mode of travel he was
unwilling to adopt, refusing absolutely Carson's request
made to him to do so. This was an unpleasant predic-
ament, especially as the rascal who formed the chase was
a dangerous antagonist, even to an experienced fighter
and in an honest cause. Goaded on by the fear of pun-
ishment for theft, Carson well knew that he would re-
quire all of his own address to purchase success; for the
rascal would not fail to make a most desperate resistance.
But Kit Carson's courage arose, as the difficulties of the
adventure seemed to multiply. With a farewell word
to his Indian companion, he put spurs to his horse and
entered boldly upon the trail alone, being determined
to run every hazard, which the unhappy accident to
the Indian's horse seemed to require at his hands. The

A DESPERATE ENCOUNTEK. 83

spectacle here presented to the reader is one which ex-
hibits Kit Carson in his true character, both as a faith-
ful and earnest friend, and a determined and dangerous
adversary. Such was his character. A life of most
singular events never found him false to his friend or
his manhood. While he was not rash in judgment, he
was consummately skillful, quick and brave. Onward
he dashed, never for an instant taking his eagle eye
from the tracks which formed his compass. Think not
that such tracks are easily traced. None but a prac-
ticed and ready eye can follow them to any advanta-
geous end. To trace them even at a snail's pace, for an
unpracticed eye, is like the child putting pen and ink
to paper through his first copy-book of penmanship.
Many and many an awful blot and horribly crooked
line will doubtless carry the simile fully and strikingly
to the mind. But the result which crowned Kit's
efforts showed conclusively that, notwithstanding he
had followed the trail for over one hundred and thirty
miles, he had made no blots or crooked lines. At the
distance of thirty miles from the place where he parted
with his Indian companion, Kit discovered the chase.
His pace now became tremendous. The wily savage
had descried him almost the same instant that he was
discovered by Kit, and instantly prepared for a desper-
ate encounter. With this object in view the savage
turned to seek a cover from whence he could fire upon
his adversary and reload long before he should himself
become exposed to a shot. The rascal's plan was good
enough, but he was too slow in its execution to overcome
Kit's activity. Kit had unslung his rifle as soon as he
saw his enemy. Anticipating the object of the savage,
he instantly covered him with his rifle. His horse was

84 CARSON'S SKILL WITH THE RIFLE.

now at full speed and he was rapidly nearing the In-
dian. At the moment he discovered that the In-
dian had reached his cover, and before he could
take advantage of it, without relaxing his horse's
speed, he fired. The ball from Carson's rifle was so
well directed that the Indian, as it struck him, gave one
bound and then fell dead in his tracks. At the same
instant the rascal's rifle went off with a sharp report,
sending a bullet whizzing at some distance from the
line of Carson's approach. The fact of the Indian's
rifle being fired at all is a sufficient explanation of what
was his intent, had his career not been so suddenly cut
short, thereby preventing its fulfillment.

The words of an old trapper are here very much to
the point. The author was, on a fitting occasion, ques-
tioning him in regard to Kit Carson's capabilities with
the rifle. Said he: "If a man has a serious quarrel
with Kit Carson, he had better not let him get the
first sight over his rifle; for, if he succeeds in this, his
adversary is as good as dead.

An intimate acquaintance and tried friendship with
Kit Carson has, since then, repeatedly furnished occa-
sions which have confirmed this trapper's statement,
although, in the first instance, a person would find it no
easy task to render an altercation necessary, for Kit
Carson always held his passions fully under control, and,
besides, they were of a very conciliatory type. No man
would sooner shun a difficulty when justice, honor, and
necessity did not warrant strife.

The work of collecting the horses was soon accom-
plished, when Carson immediately commenced his jour-
ney back to the camp. This he reached in safety, after
overcoming a few minor difficulties caused by his

WONDBOUS STORY-TELLING. 85

charge, and had the satisfaction of returning the six
horses to Mr. Robidoux in as good condition as they
were the night on which they were stolen, and also of
informing him that there was one rascal less in the
world to prey upon honest people.

This event served to interrupt the monotony and
routine of winter camp duty, affording a basis for many
a long yarn during the evening hours around the camp
fires. These trappers, especially whenever a green-
eyed bundle of curiosity chances to seek their company,
Cfin spin yarns most wondrous. The habits of the
beaver and their remarkable instinct form a fit subject
for their active imagination. It would doubtless add
very much to the interest of these pages if we could set
down a few of these anecdotes and tales for the general
reader, but the task would be hopeless as to its ac-
complishment. To give them life and reality, they re-
quire all the surroundings of time, place, and occasion ;
there should be the dark night ; the wild, whistling
wind ; the shaking tent with its covering of skins ; the
roasted venison, bear's meat, or horse-flesh ; the rifles
standing in the corners ; the lamp of bear's grease — in
fine, all the similitude of camp life. Then the wild
stories of bear fightings, beaver intelligence, Indian
deviltry, and hair-breadth escapes, become intensely
real. The auditor hangs upon each word which falls
from the lips of the supposed sage orator with
eager earnestness, while curiosity never becomes
satisfied.

" Ah ! Jones, that is a whopper."

" Sure as I live, but the beaver slept every night
with the trapper ; and in the day time, if he left the
tent, the beaver would fall to work and make a dam

86 RATHER TOO KNOWING.

across the floor of the tent, using the chist, skins, arms,
and everything."

"Oh! Jones!"

" But, I tell you it is true. Tame a beaver once, and
you'll find I'se tellin' a plain statement as true as ever
a Padre made."

" Padre ! who'd believe a Mexican priest ? Mr. Jones,
that tame beaver of your'n must have been born in the
States, where he hadn't trees and mud to build dams
with, and had to resort to furnitur."

"That beaver," responded Jones, " was as near like.a
human bein' as any man present."

" How do you make that out, Mr. Jones ? "

" Why, one day his master died. Well, they tried
all they could to console the beaver, but it 'twant no
use. He wouldn't be consoled. All he did was to git
an ole shoe belonging to his master, an' if he didn't
haul that ere shoe around day after day wherever he
went. Well, the beaver 'gan to grow thin, and one
night they found he was a dyin', jest from starvin' him-
self to death and a huggin' the ole shoe."

" Oh ! Jones," said the greenhorn, "you don't expect
I'll swallow all that yarn?"

But Mr. Jones and all of the other trappers present
preserved an imperturbable dignity of mien, as if the
very reference to the animal mentioned demanded from
them all due reverence.

" Well, but that was not doing as a human being
would do. I never seen a man carry an old shoe around
till he died from starvin'."

"That is neither here nor there," continued Mr.
Jones. " It was when the trapper first made the bea-
ver's acquaintance that he showed he knew as much as

HABITS OF THE BEAVER. 87

a human critter. At that time he had one wife and
lived with her all alone in a hole, side o' the dam. They
had two sons and a darter. The darter the old beaver
had married to a fine-lookin' young beaver who lived
t'other side the dam."

The whistle which the neophyte here gave seemed to
give great dissatisfaction to all of the trappers present.
One of them quietly asked him —

" Is that the way, youngster, you'se bin eddicated in
perliteniss of manners ? If it is, I know a beaver who
kin larn yon sumthin'. In the fust place, if a young
beaver ever kums into the presence of the ole uns,
especially if she's — that is, the ole uns — a female bea-
ver, the young un 'mediately fetches his right fore paw
up to his forehead, jest behind the right eyebrow, an*
makes a reverintial bow of cerimony in salute. I'se
seen that ar' oftener than you've put one leg ahead of
t'other yit, young un."

The trappers present all confirmed the truth of this
statement by a solemn nod of assent to the query,
"Ain't that true, gentlemen?" which, at least, served
to prevent unceremonious whistling.

It is thus that we might go on and fill page after page
with this picture-talk of the trappers. Some of their
yarns are pretty tightly strained, but most of them con-
tain a capital hit and are usually founded on the facts.
It is a well authenticated fact that the beaver has but-
one mate, and that they live together a loving couple,
as if husband and wife. As to their liaisons, coquetry,
flirting, and so forth, doubtless the society in some parts
of the human family will bear a faithful resemblance in
these respects also. As an example of industry, the
world will look in vain for a better one than is afforded

88 SUMMER ON LARAMIE RIVER.

by the little beaver of the Western Rivers. Look at
them patiently felling the tallest trees ; and, so nicely
adjusting their fall and calculating their height, that
they strike the opposite bank of their stream, gaming
a fixed and permanent lodgment. It is thus that these
wonderful little creatures will often erect dams across
wide rivers and effectually stop the rushing torrents.

As has appeared, after collecting the six horses, Kit
Carson returned with them safely into camp. A few
days subsequent to this occurrence, a band of trappers
belonging to another party en route, entered the camp.
These men reported that Fitzpatrick and Bridger were
encamped on Snake River, distant about fifteen days'
journey. This was too good news for Captain Lee and
Kit to warrant their remaining any longer idle. They
doubted not but that they should be able to dispose of
their goods to these parties. With this object in view,
they prepared for the march and started. Their jour-
ney, although perilous and laborious, was successfully
accomplished. Messrs. Fitzpatrick and Bridger re-
ceived and entertained them very hospitably, and pur-
chased their entire stock, paying therefor in beaver fur.
Kit Carson then joined Fitzpatrick's band, but remained
with it only one month. His reason for separating
from it was, that there were too many congregated
together either to accomplish much or to make the
general result profitable in the distribution. He ac-
cordingly arranged an enterprise upon his own account,
and, from his well-established reputation, found more
men than he wanted ready to join him. From those
who applied he selected but three. These were men of
the best material, and no man could judge a trapper's
qualifications better than Kit Carson.

WONDERFUL SAGACITY. 89

With his three men he immediately set out for the
Laramie River. On this stream and its tributaries he
spent the summer. Perhaps our readers will look for a
full description of the course which the American trap-
per pursues in order to catch beaver. It is very simple
in its detail, but difficult and tedious in its application.
The trap is the common steel trap made in the usual
form; if there is any difference, it is larger and more
powerful. It is set in the haunts of the beaver with a
particular kind of bait* known chiefly among trappers.
It is a singular fact, that, frequently, old beavers will
be discovered springing the traps by the aid of a stick.
If discovered at his work, he seems to enjoy hugely the
vexation of the trappers, which they sometimes exhibit.
An old trapper, however, especially if he be a French-
man or Mexican, feels so much pride in the matter, that
he will cover up his vexation under assumed politeness,
as if the beaver could understand and appreciate his
language.

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

* Animalium patrls testiculum.

90 ADVENTURE WITH GRIZZLY BEARS.

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 heed 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 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, when
he breathed his last. The echoing sound of the rifle-
shot had hardly died away, to which the true hunter
ever listens with unfeigned pleasure as the sweetest of
music on his ear, whenever he has seen that his game
is surely within his grasp, the last faint melody was
broken in upon and completely lost in a terrific roar
from the wroods directly behind him. Instantly turning
his head to note the source of this sound, the meaning

Two huge aud terribly angry griz/ly bears were bounding towards him, their eyes
flashing fiery passion, their pearly tooth glittering with eagerness to mangle his liesh,
and their monstrous forearms, hung with sharp, bony claws, ready and anxious to hug
his body in a close and most 1 ivinsr eni'miiv. — PAKE 93.

NO TIME TO COGITATE. 93

and cause of which he well knew by his experienced
woodman's ear, educated until its nicety was truly won-
derful, he saw two huge and terribly angry grizzly
bears. As his eye first rested upon these unwelcome
guests, they were bounding towards him, their eyes
flashing fiery passion, their pearly teeth glittering with
eagerness to mangle his flesh, and their monstrous fore-
arms, hung with sharp, bony claws, ready and anxious
to hug his body in a close and most loving embrace.
There was not much time for Kit to scratch his head
and cogitate. In fact, one instant spent in thought
then would have proved his death-warrant without hope
of a reprieve. Messrs. Bruin evidently considered their
domain most unjustly intruded upon. The gentle elk
and deer, mayhap, were their dancing boys and girls ;
and, like many a petty king in savage land, they may
have dined late, and were now enjoying a scenic treat
of their ballet troupe. At all events, Kit required no
second thought to perceive that the monarchs of the
American forest were unappeasably angry, and were
fast nearing him with mighty stride. Dropping his
rifle, the little leaden bullet of which would now have
been worth to him its weight in gold if it could, by
some magic wand, have been transferred from the heart
of the elk back into its breech, he bounded from his
position in close imitation of the elk, but with better
success. The trees ! he hoped and prayed, as he fairly
flew over the ground with the bears hot in chase, for
one quick grasp at a sturdy sapling. By good fortune,
or special Providence, his hope, or prayer, was answered.
Grasping a lower limb, he swung his body up into the
first tier of branches just as passing Bruin brushed
against one of his legs. Bears climb trees, and Kit

94 TICKLING THEIR NOSES.

Carson was not ignorant of the fact. Instantly draw-
ing his keen-edged hunting knife, he cut away for c
life at a thick, short branch. The knife and his energy
conquered the cutting jus: -re. Bruin had gathered

ives up for an ascent, a proceeding on their part
to which Mr. Carson would not give assent. Mr. Carson

c

was well acquainted with the M« — rs. Bruin's pride in,
and extreme consideration for, their noses. A few
.-harp raps made with the severed branch upon the
noses of the ascending bears, while they fairly made
them to howl with pain and rage, caused them hastily
to beat a retreat. This scene of ascending, getting
their no~es tickled, and again descending, howling with
pain and rage, now kept Mr. Carson and Messrs. Bruin
actively busy for some time. The huge monsters and
monarch s of the mountains were determined not to give
it up so. Such a full and fair chase, and to be beaten
by a simple white man on their own domain! T
evidently galled their sensitive natures. It is true the
roaring of the bears in his rear had stimulated Mr.
Car-on in the race, so much so that he undoubtedly ran
at the top of his speed ; and, being naturally, as well as
by long practice, very fleet of foot, he had managed to
outstrip his pursuers in the race. It is true he had
made short work of climbing the tree, and here again
had very innocently beaten the bears at their own
game, and one in which they took great pride. 1
more than probable that the bears were in too good
condition to run well. Had it been early spring time
they would doubtless have been much lower in tle>h.
That was their own i'ault too; they should have known
that racing time cannot be made on high condition.
After leaving their hibernating quarters they should

KIT VICTORIOUS. 95

have been less given to a sumptuous habit at the
table.

Affairs were, however, by no manner of means set-
tled. They had the daring trespasser on their domain
treed, and almost within their reach ; and, indeed, to
keep out of the way of their uncomely claws, Kit was
obliged to gather himself up in the smallest possible
space and cling to the topmost boughs. The bears
now allowed themselves a short respite for breathing,
during which they gave vent to their wrath by many
shrill screeches. Then they renewed their endeavors
to force the hunter from his resting place. Mounted
on their hind paws, they would reach for him ; but, the
blows with the stick, applied freely to their noses,
would make them desist. In vain did they exhaust
every means to force the man to descend ; he was not
to be driven or coaxed. The hard knocks they had
sustained upon their noses had now aroused them
almost to madness. Together they made one desperate
effort to tear Kit from the tree. As in all their previ-
ous attempts, they were foiled, and their ardor damp-
ened and cooled by the drumming operations upon
their noses, which this time was so freely and strongly
applied upon one of them as to make him lachrymate
and cry out with pain. One at a time they departed;
but it was not until they had been out of sight and
hearing for some time that Kit considered it safe to
venture down from the tree, when he hastened to re-
gain and immediately to reload his rifle.

Thus ended an adventure in which Kit Carson con-
sidered that he failed to lose life and limb by the nar-
rowest miss that ever occurred to him. Although he
had killed much more than his quantum of this kind of

96 THE GRIZZLY BEAR.

game, and had gained what is a practical advantage to
every western hunter, to wit : a knowledge of all their
abilities with \tfrich they enforced sway, Kit Carson
regarded this adventure in the light of a warning. It
was a warning, too, which he never allowed himself to
forget ; consequently, whenever he hunted afterward,
he watched as closely for signs of Mr. Bruin as he did
for the game he sought ; it would, therefore, have been
a difficult matter for the bears again to surprise him.
Some of the most desperate battles on record between
hunters and wild animals are narrated of encounters
with the bear tribe.

Several years ago, a Mexican by the name of Arma-
dor Sanchez, well known in the Rocky Mountains as a
brave and skillful hunter, had a fight with a bear
which lasted several hours. This terrible battle ended
by both the combatants being laid prostrate upon the
ground, so completely exhausted as to be utterly un-
able to reach each other from the want of physical
strength. In this condition they spent one night;
and, on the following morning, when the brave Mexi-
can hunter had recovered sufficiently to be able to
creep to his antagonist, he found him dead. This
close conflict grew out of the hunter's noble daring in
endeavoring to save the life of a Mexican boy, whom,
at the instant the hunter attacked the beast, the bear
was about to tear into pieces. At one time the bear
had the youth in his terrible clutches in such a manner
that it was impossible for him to plant a shot in any
vital organ. But nothing daunted, with his rifle and
revolver, he lodged several bullets in other parts of the
fierce monster. Still the savage animal clung to the
unfortunate boy, endeavoring to tear him to pieces,

A TERRIBLE CONFLICT. 97

and horribly mangling him in every part of his
body. The noble hunter could resist no longer,
and dropping his pistols and rifle, he drew his sheath-
knife and slung-shot, and, after winding his blanket
around his left arm to protect it, rushed in and com-
pelled the animal to turn upon him. Wounds were
freely given and returned ; but, the wary Mexican
fought with such dexterity and determination, that
the bear finally became so mad with pain and rage
that by a tremendous effort, with one blow of his
powerful paw, he knocked the brave hunter headlong
upon the ground, where he lay some time before re-
covering his breath. Instead of following up this ad-
vantage, the brute, doubtless being deceived because
the man did not move, commenced examining and
licking his own bleeding wounds. But the brave
hunter had now got his spirit so completely up, that
he determined to conquer his antagonist or die. Early
in the fight, by a blow from his slung-shot, he suc-
ceeded in breaking the bear's lower jaw. This had
greatly disabled the animal, and doubtless was the
successful wound which eventually gave Sanchez the
victory. When he felt himself sufficiently rested, he
renewed the fight; and, by adopting various manoeu-
vres, in which he was greatly assisted by some adja-
cent trees, succeeded in putting in several telling
blows with his knife. Again the animal became
aroused to madness unendurable, and, gathering him-
self up for a final effort, succeeded in planting a terri-
ble blow on the hunter's head, which once more
brought him to the ground. From this blow and
the previous loss of blood, the brave man fainted en-
tirely away. How long he remained in this state he

98 A FORMIDABLE ENEMY-

could not tell ; but, on becom-ing again conscious, he
found that the victory was on his side, for the bear
had already breathed his last. The poor boy, notwith-
standing his wounds, as soon as the battle was de-
cided, and, as he supposed, at the cost of his friend's
life, started for a neighboring fort, and, reaching it the
following morning, reported the affair. A party of
men well armed immediately marched to the rescue.
They found the brave hunter in a most pitiful condi-
tion, with his flesh terribly mangled, his clothes torn
into ribbons, and his back and shoulders one mass of
lacerated wounds. His reason had already become
unseated. In his native language he would call out to
his now visionary foe, " If you are a brave man, come
on." Although the most delicate care and assistance
was rendered to Sanchez, it was many weeks before he
was able to resume his occupation ; and, even then, he
owed his life to the wonderful recuperative powers of
his healthy and iron constitution. Had the fact been
otherwise, he could not have survived his injuries. One
more brave heart must have yielded its last drop of he-
roic blood in defence of youthful weakness. This pic-
ture, because it does not exaggerate the facts, we leave
with regret, for it is a pleasure to contemplate such
nobility of character, whatever be the name which de-
clares the governmental allegiance to the hero.

It is not going beyond the bounds of truth to assert
that the grizzly bear of the Rocky Mountains is as
formidable an enemy as the hunter is called upon to
meet, wherever the hunting-ground and whatever the
animal which opponents to our assertion may set up.
When caught out on the open prairie, where he can
be attacked on horseback and lassoed, the chances

HOME OF THE GRIZZLY REAR.

THE KING OF BEASTS. 90

are against the bear; but, in a broken country, woe
to his assailants, unless life is saved by some trick; or,
happy fortune ; a lucky shot ; a telling blow, like
Sanchez's with his slung-shot; or, the fanciful drum-
ming, such as was Kit's, on the noses of his antagonists;
or, some other equally singular and unlooked-for ex-
pedient. The weight of one of these monsters often
runs as high as fifteen hundred pounds, and their
fore paws, which they can manage with the greatest
dexterity, frequently measure fourteen inches. The
courage, sagacity and skill invariably evinced by
this species of bear, when engaged in a fight, is not
equaled by any other wild animal on the face of the
globe, not excepting the lion.

We take pleasure in here giving further publicity to
the careful research and plain truths which have ema-
nated from the pen of that distinguished and success-
ful traveler, Dr. Livingstone. The new ideas which
appear in his pages in regard to the courage of the
" King of Beasts," have served, in a measure, to cor-
rect the general impression, and to bring down from its
high-stilted hyperbole the courage, sagacity, and terrible
power of the lion, which, he states, are overrated. We
do not desire to contradict published statements any
farther than our own personal knowledge extends ;
hence, we give our authority for our statements in re-
gard to the lion, very well satisfied ourself with Dr.
Livingstone's love of truth and earnest candor. So
much for the lion. Our statements in regard to the
Rocky Mountain grizzly bear rest upon our own knowl-
edge and investigation, gathered in his own haunts and
on his own wild domain, and, as such, are given upon
our own responsibility. Because brave American woods-

100 INDIANS HUNTING GRIZZLY BEARS.

men can readily conquer the monarch of the American
forest; and because the chicken-hearted Afric son, or
dweller, trembles before the steady glare of the Afric
King of Beasts, ergo his beardship must, in popular
opinion., play subordinate to his lionship. For the sake
of truth, we should like to see the Spanish arena once
open for a fighting encounter between a Rocky Moun-
tain bear and an African lion, full and native-grown
specimens of each. The bull-fights all good men abhor ;
but such a battle would serve to set at rest a fast-grow-
ing doubt among naturalists, and, so far, would prove
available to science and the cause of truth. We would
readily stake a purse on the bear.

With the Indians of the West, who live mostly by
hunting, among whom nine out of ten would, single-
handed, readily face a score of native lion spearsmen,
and, we verily believe, put them to flight, a man is
considered a great brave w'ho, alone, will undertake to
kill a grizzly bear. If he succeeds, which is very rarely
tlu case, his fortune in his tribe is made, once and for
all. The reputation he .gains will cling to and follow
him into his grave, and form one of the chief burdens
of the tradition which bears his name to posterity. The
Indians usually hunt and attack him in large parties,
and, when the contest becomes really earnest, it re-
quires a most immoderate amount of yelling, and fierce
cry for the onset, to keep their bravery up in fighting
trim. The victory is seldom gained without the sac-
rifice of several lives. The mounted hunter almost in-
variably finds it a difficult task to bring his charger
even within shooting range of this kind of game. On
an untrained or young horse the accomplishment of this
feat is next to an impossibility, for instinct seems to

ARRIVAL OF BRIDGEIi's PARTY. 101

teach them the true character of the game, even though
they approach it for the first time.

The author once saw thirty brave and determined
men in pursuit. of an old grizzly bear and her two cubs,
near the head waters of the Arkansas River. In vain
they urged their horses to the chase. Not a single steed
in the entire band could be induced to run for the game.
The old bear was quite thin, and her young nearly half
grown, and were very fleet of foot. The chase lasted
for about three miles, but not a man present was able
to obtain a shot, because their riding animals were so
completely frightened as to be almost unmanageable ;
consequently, the bears made good their escape. The
last that was seen of them was their dim outlines as
they traveled leisurely up a deep ravine.

Darkness closed in about Kit Carson before he could
reach his camp ; and, indeed, the sky was so cloudy
that it was with great difficulty he found his way to it.
The idea of sending out a pack animal for the elk was
out of the question ; therefore, the whole party went
supperless, to bed. In the morning they breakfasted
upon a beaver found in one of their traps, for they well
knew that, long before daylight, the prowling wolves
had feasted upon the elk ; 'hence, they resigned it with-
out a visit. The flavor of the meat of the beaver is not
very palatable, and the trappers rarely use it ; never
when they can do better. Not so with its tail. To
this they are very partial, and, when properly boiled,
it is, indeed, a great delicacy.

Believing that Bridger would visit this place, Kit
ordered his men to make a permanent camp. Kit's
sagacity was not at fault in this hypothesis, for, in
fifteen days, this famous old mountaineer made his ap-

102 THE SUMMER RENDEZVOUS.

pearance, accompanied by his whole band. The two
parties once more consolidated and started for the
summer rendezvous, which was appointed to be held
on the Green River.

Upon their arrival at this place, they found congre-
gated, all the principal trappers of the Rocky Moun-
tains. They were divided into two camps, and num-
bered about two hundred men. The objects which
brought them thus together were, the disposal of their
fur and the purchase of supplies.

When all the parties had reported their arrival, the
trading commenced and was conducted upon a basis
which gave general satisfaction. The most exorbitant
and fabulous prices ruled for such articles as the moun-
taineers required. Sugar and coffee brought two dollars
the pint ; powder, the same ; and ordinary blankets were
sold at fifteen and twenty-five dollars each.

Coffee, sugar, and even flour, were luxuries not every
day indulged in by the hardy mountaineers. They
seldom partook of such dainties ; not more frequently
than two or three times in the year, and then, merely
as rare treats. Their standard food was game, and wild
vegetables when in their season.

This meeting of the trappers continued in progress
during two months. It was then dissolved ; and, once
more the bold mountaineers formed into bands of a size
convenient for trapping, and started out to engage in
the fall hunt. Kit Carson joined a party of fifty men
which was bound for the country occupied by the Black-
feet Indians, and which lies on and adjacent to the head
waters of the Missouri River. The party met with very
poor success in catching beaver, but had their fill of
annoyances from the tribe of savages already referred

ON THE BIG SNAKE RIVER. 105

to. Finally the state of affairs between the trappers and
the Indians became so desperate, that a white man could
not leave his camp and go a distance of a single mile
alone without being fired upon, so completely and untir-
ingly was their camp surrounded and watched by this
wily and dangerous tribe of Indians.

This state of affairs led them to the determination to
quit the country, as the trapping season was far ad-
vanced. With this line of policy they began the march ;
and, in the month of November, 1832, arrived on the
banks of the Big Snake River, where they established
winter quarters and remained until the subsequent
February.

During these winter months, the quiet monotony of
their life was unexpectedly broken in upon by a band
of their old enemies, the Blackfeet Indians. Taking
advantage of an unusually dark night, they entered
the camp and succeeded in running off eighteen of their
horses. In consideration of their leniency displayed
towards them when they wrere engaged in trapping in
their own country, then merely acting on the defensive,
this act on the part of the savages appeared to the trap-
pers to be more than they ought peaceably to bear.
Such appeared to be the general opinion, and it was
determined that a party should be sent out to recover
the property and inflict a chastisement upon the hostile
savages which they would not soon forget. Kit Carson
with eleven men to accompany him was selected for
this delicate but highly important service. Having
prepared everything for the route, the party started,
and after fifty miles of sharp riding through the snow,
came up with the savages. The progress of the Indians
had been, fortunately, considerably retarded by the

106 THE COUNCIL WITH BLACKFEET.

necessity of breaking a path through the deep snow,
which had but very recently fallen. The trappers in-
stantly made an attempt to recover their animals, which
were found grazing on the side of a hill, the Indians
having previously come to a halt. In doing this, shots
were exchanged by both parties without effect. The
savages had on snow shoes, which gave them considera-
ble advantage over the trappers. After some manoeu-
vring, the Indians asked for a parley which was grant-
ed. On these occasions, it is customary for one man
from each party to advance to a spot about half-way
between the contending parties and there have a talk.
The rascals, through their representative, informed the
trappers through their representative, that they had
supposed that they had been committing a robbery
upon the Snake Indians ; and, that they did not desire
to steal from the white men.

The trappers, believing these tales to be false, con-
sidered this a mere ruse on the part of the Indians to
nu'.ke them unwary of passing events. However, they
put the very natural query to them, why, if they were
so friendly disposed, they did not follow out their usual
custom ; and, on seeing them approach, lay down their
arms and advance to meet their white brothers, so that
they might have a smoke together and talk over their
difficulties and thus amicably settle matters.

Their replies to this query contained nothing but
evasions. Finally, however, it having been mutually
agreed upon, both parties disarmed and marched to
the place where their representatives were talking.
The Calumet was then prepared, lighted and handed
around to each person present, it being puffed once or
twice by every one of the savages and every one of the

CAKSON SEVERELY WOUNDED. 107

whites. The council then commenced. The head men
among the savages led off by making several lengthy
and unmeaning speeches. In their replies, the trappers
came directly to the point, and said they could hear
no overtures for peace, until their property was re-
stored to them. The Indians, hearing this demand,
several times repeated, began to presume upon their
strength, assuming an overbearing demeanor. After
considerable talk among themselves, they sent out and
brought in five of the poorest horses, declaring that it
was the only number they could return. The trappers
upon hearing this, ran for their arms ; when the Indians
instantly started for theirs. The fight was renewed
by both parties. Kit Carson, in the rush made for
the rifles, and one of his companions named Markhead,
succeeded in getting hold of their weapons first ; and
consequently, they formed the advance in the return
to the contest. They selected for their antagonists,
two Indians who were close together ; but who were
partially concealed behind separate trees. As Kit was
on the point of raising his rifle to fire, he saw by a quick
side glance at Markhead, that he was working at the
lock of his gun without paying attention to his adver-
sary, who was aiming at him with, almost, a certainty
of killing him. Kit instantly changed the direction of
his rifle and fired, sending a bullet through the heart
of Markhead's adversary ; but, in thus saving the life
of his friend, he was obliged, for the instant, to neglect
his own adversary. A quick glance showed him the
fellow sighting over his rifle and that the mouth of the
Indian's gun covered his breast. Upon the instant he
endeavored to dodge the bullet, but he was unsuccess-
ful in doing so completely. It struck him in such a way

108 FORTITUDE AND RESIGNATION.

that, first cutting the skin of his neck and glancing, it
passed through his left shoulder. The head of the bone
of the arm in the shoulder was shattered ; but, fortu-
nately, the main artery of the arm escaped injury. Not-
withstanding his wound Kit immediately endeavored to
reload his rifle. In this effort he was unsuccessful, for
his left arm hung powerless by his side. He was
obliged, therefore, to remain a mere spectator during
the remainder of the fight ; when, being overcome by
the loss of blood and the consequent fast increasing
weakness, he threw himself upon the ground. The
fight continued to be hotly contested by both the trap-
pers and Indians until, gradually, the firing ceased,
when the trappers drew off and went into camp. They
did not dare to light any fires, as they would inevitably
bring the Indians upon them. With nothing but their
saddle-blankets to protect them from the bitter cold,
even the safe and sound members of the party suffered
severely. Kit's condition failed not to arouse the
heartfelt sympathy of his friends, for there was not
one among them who would not have readily risked
life and limb to save Kit's. But his condition was
most critical ; at the least, he was in a most unenviable
condition. His wounds bled profusely, and the blood,
as it oozed out, froze to the rude dressings. This, un-
doubtedly, in the final result, was beneficial to him, as
the cold acted as a partial check upon the hemorrhage.
It was, however, none the less painful to endure. He
bore his agonizing sufferings without a single murmur,
exhibiting in patient fortitude and resignation the same
brave spirit and dauntless courage which distinguished
him in every action. Not once did a single complaint
escape from his lips. Had he received this wound

ON THE GREEN AND SNAKE RIVERS. 109

within the pales of civilization, with its concomitant
constitution, he might never have recovered the use of
his arm. In the pure air, and with a constitution in the
best possible trim, after all danger from hemorrhage
had passed, his chances to recover were favorable ; and
finally resulted in giving him, once more, the full use
of his arm.

That night the trappers held a council. It was de-
cided that, although the result of the fight had been
that they had given the Indians a sound thrashing, there
having been several braves killed, while they had suf-
fered only in one wounded, they were, nevertheless, not
then strong enough to pursue the savages farther. They
adopted, therefore, the policy of returning to the camp
and reporting their progress.

On their arrival, a council was immediatelv called and

w

their adventures duly rehearsed. The result was, that
a second party was immediately organized, comprising
thirty men. Under the command of Bridger, this party
followed the trail for some days, but returned to camp
without finding the savages. They, after their late
engagement, had made their way as fast as possible into
distant parts. A short time after this the weather
moderated, and it was time for the spring hunt.

This Avas now commenced, and continued quite active
for several weeks on the Green and Snake Rivers. The
success of the trappers was far beyond their most san-
guine expectations. Beaver fur seemed absolutely to
rain down upon them. The season having passed, they
went into summer rendezvous on the banks of the
Green River. This was brought about by the arrival
of the traders with their supplies. The whole force of
trappers, therefore, again rested until the first week of

110 AN AFFAIR OF HONOR.

September, when they again broke up their camp for
the fall hunt.

Some time previous to this last-named event, Kit
Carson, having recovered from the effects of his wounds,
was very reluctantly drawn into an " affair of honor."
The circumstances of this occurrence we give in detail,
for two reasons. It was an event in Carson's life, and,
therefore, is required -at our hands ; but it serves to
exhibit the manner of the duello among these western
mountaineers, which throws around the circumstance
the importance of an example in their manners and
customs. By itself, so far as Kit Carson was concerned,
it was of very little importance, serving but little, in
his opinion, to adorn the story of his life.

Among the men congregated at the rendezvous, there
was a Captain Shunan, a powerful Frenchman. The
Captain was exceedingly overbearing in his intercourse
with all around him. Upon the slightest pretext, he
was sure to endeavor to involve some of the trappers
in a quarrel. The result was that he was heartily
despised by all, although, for the sake of peace, he was
allowed to go unmolested. One day his conduct was
particularly offensive to the entire command, for, after
having had two fist fights with a couple of weak and
inoffensive men, he commenced boasting that he could
easily flog all the Frenchmen present, and, as to the
Americans, he said that " he could cut a stick and
s\\itch them." Such actions and manners at last at-
tracted Kit Carson's notice, and caused him to be greatly
annoyed. He thought the matter over, and concluded
that if Captain Shunan was allowed to gather many
more such detestable laurels, he would soon become
even more bold and troublesome. As no other member

FACING A BULLY. Ill

of tho company seemed disposed to put a check upon
such unmanly behavior, he quietly determined to make
the affair his own.

An opportunity soon presented itself. A number of
the company had congregated together and were en-
gaged in conversation, when Captain Shunan began
anew his bullying language, this time a little more
boisterous than usual. Kit Carson, advancing into the
centre of the company, and placing himself in front of
the Captain, thus addressed him :

" Shunan, before you stands the humblest specimen
of an American in this band of trappers, among whom
there are, to my certain knowledge, men who could
easily chastise you, but, being peaceably disposed, they
keep aloof from you. At any rate, I assume the re-
sponsibility of ordering you to cease your threats, or I
will be under the necessity of killing you."

To this Captain Shunan did not reply ; but, im-
mediately after Kit Carson had closed his remarks,
he turned upon his heel and walked directly for his
lodge.

Kit Carson was too well versed in trapper rules not
to read the meaning of this action. He, therefore,
walked off also, but in the direction of his own lodge.
In a brief space of time both men appeared before the
camp, each mounted on their respective horses. The
affair had drawn together the whole band, and there
were many witnesses of the facts here recorded.

Captain Shunan was armed with his rifle. Kit Car-
son had taken merely a single-barrel dragoon pistol,
which happened to be the first weapon that had fallen
in his way, because of his hurry to be on the ground.
The two men now rode rapidly towards one another,

PUNISHING A BRAGGADOCIO.

until their horses' heads almost touched, when both
horsemen reined up, and Kit Carson addressed Captain
Shunan as follows :

"Am I the person you are looking for ? "

Captain Shunan replied, " No ! "

It was apparent that this reply of Captain Shunan
was a falsehood ; for, while giving it utterance, he
raised his rifle in the act of shooting, bringing it to his
shoulder and covering his antagonist. Before, how-
ever. Captain Shunan could discharge his gun, the ball
from Kit Carson's pistol shattered his fore-arm, causing
the rifle to tilt upwards, which changed the direction
of its contents in such a way that Kit Carson received
a wound in his scalp, while the powder severely burnt
h*s face.

It was the universal opinion of the spectators of this
unhappy scene that both parties fired nearly at the
same instant. The facts of the case show very plainly,
first, that Captain Shunan's intent was to kill his an-
tagonist. Why did he aim at Kit Carson's breast?
Second, that Kit Carson's shot was delivered perhaps
a second or two in advance of Captain Shunan's ; third,
that Kit Carson did not desire to kill his antagonist,
but merely to save his own life by disabling his ad-
versary. The fact that his shot struck first and hit
Captain Shunan's right arm is sufficient proof of this.
When Kit Carson's well-known and indisputable skill
with all kinds of fire-arms is taken into the account,
and that, notwithstanding this skill, he hit his adver-
sary in one of only two places (his right or left arms i
which would have rendered his aim with the rifle un-
certain, the statement that Kit Carson did not intend
to kill his adversary becomes an incontrovertible iuct.

sfore, however, Ctptein Shunan could discharge his gun, the ball from Kit Carson's
pistol shattered hia forearm.— PAGB 112.

ORDER AND PEACE IN THE CAMP. 115

Last, had Kit Carson not gained a second in advance in
the firing, he would have lost his own life, inevitably ;
and, the emphatic " No ! " the lie of his antagonist,
would have been crowned with success. Such plain
deception seldom is allowed to triumph by an all-wise
Providence.

In judging Kit Carson in this matter, the reader will
commit an ungenerous error if he fails to allow to be
placed, in the balance of judgment, the stirring deeds
and daily hair-breadth risks Kit Carson, during so
many years of his eventful life, was constantly called
upon to take a part in and undergo. We take leave
of this unfortunate scene in his life, feeling confident a
just public opinion will see in it no cause to pluck from
the brow of Kit Carson any of the laurels which it has
been called upon to place there. As a man of truth,
honor, virtue, and reverence for the laws of his coun-
try, Kit Carson had few equals and no superior among
Americans. It needed not this incident to establish his
courage ; that had long been proven to be undoubted.
Nor did the result elate his feelings in the least*. He
met his companions without a smile, and invariably
expressed his regrets that he felt it to be his duty, for
the good order and peace of the camp, to interfere in
the matter. On the other hand, when he espoused the
cause of the majority in maintaining the right, he
was not a man to be easily thwarted. When the affair
was ended, Kit was congratulated, and received the
thanks of nearly every individual present; for, each
felt that a load of most vexatious and troublesome
responsibility had been taken from his shoulders. The
good fellowship immediately introduced into the camp
was also a circumstance of mark.

116

SETTLING DIFFICULTIES.

The wounded man was carried to his quarters and
every attention shown him in the power of his com-
panions. His punishment had the effect completely
to subdue him.

These duels among the old trappers of the Rocky
Mountains were not very unfrequent occurrences.
Men, situated as they were, beyond the reach of the
mighty arm of the law, find it absolutely necessary to
legislate for themselves. It is not within our province to
advocate either the right or wrong of dueling ; for, writh
the best of reasoning, there will always exist a differ-
ence of opinion on the subject. In the case of these
mountaineers, when any serious offence was given, the
man receiving the injury to body or fame, held the
right of demanding satisfaction. The interests of the
entire band required an immediate settlement of diffi-
culties, so that their future plans could be carried out
in concert. In their dealings with each other they
were strictly honorable; and when by any mischance a
rogue crept into their ranks, if detected in any rascal-
ity, he was summarily and severely dealt with. Their
duels were serious events; for, oftentimes both men
were killed. In fact the case could hardly be other-
wise. They were men of unflinching courage, and
their weapons were generally rifles, which, from long
practice, they held with a certain and deadly aim.

RESTORATION OF CAPTIVES.

TilE FALL HUNT. 117

CHAPTER V.

The Fall Hunt — McCoy of the Hudson's Bay Company organizes a Trap-
ping Party which Kit Carson joins — The Hunt — Scarcity of Beaver on
Hutnboldt River — The Party is divided — Kit Carson with a majority
of the Men goes to Fort Hall — Hardships and Privations met witl.'
Bleeding Mules and drinking the warm blood to keep from starving —
Buffalo Hunt — All their Animals Stolen in the Night by a Party of
Blackfeet Indians— Arrival of McCoy from Fort Walla Walla— The
Rendezvous — Kit Carson joins a strong Band — The Small-Pox among
the Blackfeet Indians — The Crow Indians on good terms with the
Whites — Intense Cold — Immense Herds of Buffalo — Daugor of their
Goring the Horses to Death — The Spring Hunt — The Blackfeet Indian
Village overtaken — A desperate Fight with these Indians — The Ren-
dezvous— Sir William Stuart and a favorite Missionary Kit Carson
goes on a Trading Expedition to the Navajo Indians — The Return —
He accepts the post of Hunter of the Trading Post at Brov/n's Hole

ARRANGEMENTS for the fall hunt were now in active
progress among the trappers. Though the reader may
find some similarity of fact and idea as we progress
in this part of the Life of Kit Carson, the interest
which hangs about it, nevertheless, will not, or should
not be dampened, because this pen-painting of his long
and active experience is a better and more faithful
exhibit of those qualifications, knowledge, and skill
which afterwards made him first the guide and then
the bosom friend of the illustrious Fremont, than any
assertions, whether authenticated by published record,
whether rested upon statement on knowledge, informa-
tion, and belief of acquaintances and friends, or, whether

WINTERING ON THE BIG SNAKE KIVER.

facts taken from the thousand allusions to his exploits,
which have, from time to time, Hooded the press of the
United States.

The company of trappers which had been so for-
tunate as to secure the services of Kit Carson, for facts
seem now to warrant us in employing this language of
just praise, set out for the Yellow Stone River, which
stream they safely reached, and on which they set their
traps. Dame Fortune here seemed to be in an unpleas-
ant mood. Crossing the country from the Yellow Stone
to the Big Horn River, they again courted the old lady's
smile with stoical patience, but with no better results.
They next extended their efforts to the three forks of
the Missouri River ; also, to the Big Snake River. The
fickle old lady proved scornful on all these streams,
and finally, on the latter stream and its tributaries they
wintered.

In this section of the country they fell in with Mr.
Thomas McCoy, a trader who was in the employ of the
Hudson's Bay Company. In his trading operations
Mr. McCoy had been unsuccessful, and had concluded
to organize a trapping expedition. The inducements
which he held out led Kit Carson and five of his com-
panions to become members of his party. With him
they traveled to Mary's River,* from whence reports
had circulated that beaver existed in great abundance.
The party struck upon this stream high up, and slowly
followed it down to where it is lost in the Great Basin.
Their success here was not satisfactory ; consequently,
the party returned to the Big Snake River. By
McCoy's direction, the party tarried upon this river for

* We give the name which was applied to this river at the date of the facto related to
the text. It is now culled the Huuiboldt liiver.

UPPER FALLS, YELLOWSTONE RIVER.

YELLOWSTONE LAKE.

DRINKING MULE'S BLOOD. 121

some time, when it was divided. McCoy and a small
escort started for Fort Walla Walla. Kit Carson and
the majority of the men took up their line of march for
Fort Hall. While en route, the latter division was sub-
jected to the greatest privations imaginable. Among
the worst of these was hunger, as their trail led through
a barren region of country. For a short time they
managed to subsist upon a small supply of nutritious
roots, which had been provided in advance. This source
finally gave out, when their affairs assumed a most
desperate attitude. To keep from starving, they bled
their mules, and drank the warm red blood with avidity,
so acutely had the days of fasting sharpened their ap-
petites. This operation, however, could not be repeated
without endangering the lives of their animals. These
also were on a short allowance of food, for the grass was
very poor and scanty. The whole party had become
frightfully reduced in strength, and began to think it
necessary to kill some of their animals, which at this
time they could but ill spare. In this terrible condition
they met with a band of Indians, who proved to be of a
friendly disposition. The party was then only about
four days' journey from Fort Hall. Most unhappily,
the Indians themselves possessed but a scanty supply
of provisions, and no more than their immediate wants
required. It was not without considerable manoeuver-
ing and talk, during which all the skill and Indian expe-
rience possessed by Kit Carson were brought into active
requisition, that the savages were prevailed upon to trade
with the trappers. By the trade, the half-famished men
obtained a fat horse, which was immediately killed, and
on which they regaled with as much relish as the epicure
in the settlements enjoys his "joint of roast beef."

122

nORSE-FLESH OR STARVATION.

To a man not accustomed to this kind of meat, mule-
flesh and horse-flesh would not be likely to prove over
tempting or appropriate viands. Let him feel the pangs
of hunger very sharply, and his ideas of lusciousness
and propriety in respect to food will rapidly change.
The civilized world has condemned the practice as be-
longing to barbarians. A mountaineer, not being quite
so fastidious, scouts these ideas, considering them fool-
ish prejudices of people who have never been forced by
necessity to test the wisdom of their condemnation.
Let the epicurean sages have their choice, eat horse-
flesh or starve, and, they confidently maintain, horse-
flesh would gradually grow to be considered a dainty,
the rarer over beef in proportion to its greater COM.

The trappers of the western prairies, who wander
thousands of miles over barren as well as fertile
lands, where game cannot exist from stern necessity,
are compelled to submit to all kinds of vicissitudes ;
but, with buoyant spirits, they conquer results, which
a faint heart and yielding courage would behold almost
in their grasp but fail to reach.

An emergency calls forth skill and great energies ;
and, in an unexplored country where, as in the case
here recorded, everything living suddenly disappears,
it is then that the wits of a trapper save his life when
an ordinary traveler would lie down and die.

Kit Carson and his men at last succeeded in reaching
Fort Hall. They were kindly received and amply pro-
vided for by the whites who then occupied it as a trad-
ing post. Here they rapidly recruited their strength,
and in the course of a few days felt able to start out
upon a buffalo hunt. Reports had come in that large
nuwbers of buffalo existed in close proximity to the

SOJOURN AT FORT HALL. 123

Fort. Kit Carson and his men were not the kind who
live upon the bounty of others when game can be had
in return for the necessary effort to find. They were
also not the men to hoard their stock of provisions
whenever they met parties in distress. The first query
which different bands of trappers offer to each other on
meeting in the wilderness, is, "Does game exist in
plenty," or " is game plenty in such and such sections
of country?" This takes precedence over the com-
monplace question, " What's the news ? " Oftentimes,
when venturing into distant and unexplored districts
of territory, they were obliged to take their chances of
finding sustenance ; but, they hardly ever neglected
an opportunity to inform, themselves on the subject :
on the contrary, they often sacrificed both time and
profits in order to secure correct details. Any other
course would have been fool-hardy rashness, just fit
for parties of over-bold inexperience to take the con-
sequences of.

Hunting the buffalo is a manly and interesting sport;
and, as Kit Carson on this occasion engaged in it with
successful results, it might be interesting to the general
reader, and, in this place, the unity of the narrative
seems to require a complete and practical description
of the manner of taking the buffalo. "We have, how-
ever, deferred this part of our duty to an occasion
when Kit Carson had his friend John C. Fremont upon
his first buffalo hunt. We shall then permit the bold
Explorer to tell the story of a buffalo hunt in our
behalf.

During their sojourn at Fort Hall, the hardy trappers
were not idle. Besides the calls upon them by the
hunt, they set to work with great industry, repairing

JUDGED NOT BY HIS COAT.

their saddles, clothing, and moccasins. With the aid
of a few buckskins, procured from Indians, and a few
rude tools, they soon accomplished wonders.

To give the reader an appropriate view of the genius
to conquer obstacles displayed by the mountaineers, he
must picture one of them just starting upon a long
journey over the prairies and through the mountains.
His wagon and harness trappings, if he chances to be
possessed of worldly effects sufficient to warrant him in
purchasing a first-class putfit, present a neat and trim
appearance. Follow him to the point of his destina-
tion, and there the reader will discover, perhaps, a
hundredth part of the original vehicle and trappings.
While en route, the bold and self-reliant man has met
with a hundred accidents. He has been repeatedly
called upon to mend and patch both wagon and har-
ness, besides his own clothing. Though he now pre-
sents a dilapidated appearance, he is none the less a
man ; and, if his name is known as a regular trapper
and mountaineer, he is immediately a welcomed and
honored guest. If the broadcloth of a prince covered
his back, spotless, scientifically shaped and foreign
woven, his reception would hot be more heartfelt and
sincerely cordial. It is amusing to see the rawhide
patches of harness, wagon and clothing, now become
dry and hard as oak. To have dispensed with the use
of buckskin on his route, would have been like cutting
off the right arm of the gallant pioneer. Buckskin and
,the western wilds of America are almost synonymous
terms ; at least, the one suggests the other, and there-
fore they are of the same brotherhood. The traveler
in these regions of this day fails not to learn and ap-
preciate its value. It has not only furnished material

CUEING BUFFALO MEAT. 125

for clothing, but has been used to repair almost every
article in daily use. Even the camp and tea-kettle, as
well as the frying, milk and saucepan, bedstead and
hammock, chair and table, all have had their buckskin
appendage, as fast as any of them have become injured
or broken.

Everything being in readiness, Carson set out with
his followers for their hunting-grounds. Their pace
was one of so much rapidity, that after one day's march
they discovered signs of the buffalo. On the following
morning immense herds were in sight. A suitable
place fgr a camp was soon selected, and everything
which could impede their work well stowed away.
The best marksmen were selected for hunters, and the
remainder of the party detailed to take care of the
meat as fast as the hunters should bring it in. Poles
were planted on the open prairies, and from one to the
other ropes of hide were stretched. Upon these ropes
strips of the buffalo meat were hung for curing, which
consists of merely drying it in the sun's rays. After it
is sufficiently dried, it is taken down and bound up in
bundles. During the time of hunting and curing, the
trappers feasted upon the delicacies of the game, which
consist of the tongue, liver and peculiar fat which is
found along the back of the buffalo. Their past suffer-
ings from hunger had made them so determined in the
work of procuring game, that in a few days they pos-
sessed meat sufficient to load down all their pack arii--
mals. They now thought about returning to Fort Hall,
Their pace, however, rendered so by their weighty
game, was very slow. Their old enemies, the Black-
feet Indians, had discovered them while engaged in this
hunt. They followed them on the march to the Fort,

126 DEPRIVED OF THEIR ANIMALS.

the trappers being wholly unaware of their presence ;
in fact, the idea of hostile Indians had not troubled
their thoughts.

Two or three nights after they arrived at the Fort,
taking advantage of a dark evening, the Indians de-
prived them of all their animals. This was the result
of carelessness on the part of one of the men, which,
under the circumstances, was excusable. The party
had encamped just without the pickets of the Fort, but
had taken the precaution to secure their horses and
mules while they slept, by placing them in the corral
belonging to the station. A sentinel was p«t upon
duty over the corral, in order to make everything
doubly secure. In the latter part of the night, nearly
at daybreak, the sentinel saw two persons advance and
deliberately let down the bars leading into the yard and
drive out the animals. He mistook these men for two
of his companions who were authorized to take the
herd out to graze. Concluding, therefore, without
going to them, that he was relieved, he sought his
resting-place and was soon fast asleep. In the morn-
ing, anxious inquiries were made for the horses and
mules, when a very short investigation revealed the
truth of matters. It was, undoubtedly, very fortunate
for the sentinel that he fell into the error alluded to.
It was very apparent that the two advanced Indians
who let down the bars were backed up by a strong
party. The signs of Indians, discovered afterwards,
proved this beyond a doubt. Their reserve party were
posted where the least resistance on the part of the
sentinel would have been followed by his quick nml
certain death. This successful theft was, no doubt,
considered by the Indians a cause for great rejoicing.

THE BLACKFEET INDIANS. 127

It may have formed the basis of promoting the brave
who planned and directed it, as the animals had been
obtained without the loss of a man or even the receiv-
ing of a wound. The parties living at the Fort were
equally as poorly off for horses and mules as were now
the trappers. The same Indians had recently performed
the same trick upon them. The loss was most severely
felt by the trappers, inasmuch as they had not a single
animal left upon which to give chase. Nothing re-
mained for them to enact, except a stoical indifference
over their loss, and await the return of McCoy, who had
agreed, after finishing his business at Fort Walla Walla,
to rejoin them at Fort Hall.

This tribe of Indians, the Blackfeet, whose meddle-
some dispositions have so frequently brought them in
contact with Kit Carson in such and dissimilar affairs,
occupied the country on the Yellow Stone River and
about the head waters of the Missouri. There were
other tribes in close proximity, the most important of
which was the tribe called the Crows. When Kit Carson
first entered upon his wild career, the Blackfeet Indians
numbered nearly thirty thousand souls. They were
greatly reduced in numbers within the next six or
seven years, between 1832 and 1839. In the last-
named year, in consequence of the ravages of the small-
pox, heretofore alluded to, and which prevailed the
year previous, they had lost at least fifty per cent.
They have now dwindled down to a few thousands.
They are one of the finest races of the American
Aborigines. Powerful in frame and development ; well
trained in horsemanship, although in this they are sur-
passed by the Camanches ; capable of great endurance ;
and usually well fitted as to arms, dress, horse trappings,

128 A THIEVING HORDE OF SAVAGES.

et ccetera, they generally prove knotty customers as
enemies. We ought not to pass by this notice of the
Blackfeet Indians without calling the attention of the in-
quisitive reader to a remarkable proof which is afforded
by the whole intercourse of these western trappers with
the Blackfeet Indians, as thus detailed by Kit Carson, of
an assertion hazarded some years ago, by Charles De
Wolf Brownell, in his admirable work upon the Indian
races ot North and South America. On pages 531-2,
Mr. Brownell comes to the defence of the Crow tribe
of Indians, which, up to that time, had been character-
ized as a " lawless, thieving horde of savages." "But,"
says Mr. Brownell, " those best acquainted with their
character and disposition, speak of them as honest and
trustworthy." The adventures of Kit Carson among
both the Crow and the Blackfeet Indians, we think,
demonstrate pretty conclusively which of these contig-
uous tribes are the horse stealers. The Crows, it will
be remembered, were more particularly inhabitants* of
the mountainous regions. The Blackfeet have ever
been their sworn and inplacable foes. Their burials of
the hatchet have been few and far between, and never
in deep soil. It is not, therefore, to be wondered at
that the Blackfeet reputation should extend to the
Crows ; but, although circumstances exist which con-
demn the latter, they are few in number compared
with the sins laid by the traders and trappers at the
tent-doors of the former.

After the lapse of one month McCoy made his ap-
pearance and, most opportunely, brought an extra
supply of animals. The camp was soon struck and
the whole band started for the rendezvous, which had
been appointed to convene at the mouth of Horse

A BLACKFEET WARRIOR.

SMALL-POX AMONG THE INDIANS. 131

Creek on the Green River. They reached this place
after several days of hard travel. As usual, trading
operations did not commence until all the regular
bands of trappers had arrived and reported. They
were then commenced and continued through a period
of twenty days. Here Kit Carson left the company
under McCoy, and joined a company under the man-
agement of a Mr. Fontenelle, which numbered one
hundred men. This party went to and trapped on the
Yellow Stone River. On commencing operations, the
party was divided into fifty trappers and fifty keepers.
The duties of the former wrere to take the beaver and
provide game for food ; the latter, to guard their prop-
erty and cook. The trappers were now in the midst
of their sworn foes, the Blackfeet Indians. They felt
themselves sufficiently strong and were desirous of
paying off old scores. They therefore trapped where
they pleased, being determined to dispute the right of
possession to the country if attacked. They were not,
however, molested. A good reason appeared for this,
soon after, brought by some friendly Indians belong-
ing to the Crow Tribe. They informed the whites that
the small-pox was making terrible havoc with the Black-
feet Indians. Thousands were dying, and fears were en-
tertained that the whole tribe would be cut off. In order
to attend to their sick they had secluded themselves.
The trapping season being nearly over, as the streams
began to freeze, the party commenced looking out for
a camping site.

In conjunction with the main body of the Crow
nation they proceeded to a well protected valley, and
erected their lodges, making themselves as comfort-
able as possible under the circumstances. As the

132 IMMENSE HEEDS OF STARVING BUFFALOES.

season advanced, the cold became more severe, until
at last, it was more intense than ever before experi-
enced by the trappers or Indians. Fuel, however, was
abundant, and, excepting the inconvenience of keeping
unusually large fires, they suffered but little. Not so
with their animals. It was with the greatest difficulty
that they preserved them from starvation. By the
most unwearied exertions, however, they succeeded in
obtaining food enough barely to keep them alive until
the weather became more mild and auspicious. At
one time the crisis was so imminent, that the trappers
were compelled to resort to cotton-wood trees, thawing
the bark and small branches, after gathering them, by
their fires. This bark was torn from the trees in shreds
sufficiently small for the animals to masticate. The
Indians of the Eocky Mountains, when suffering from
hunger, are often driven to the extremity of eating
this material. For miles, not unfrequently, the trav-
eler discovers these trees denuded of their bark, after a
party has passed through on their way to find the buf-
falo. The rough, outside cuticle is discarded, and the
tender texture, next to the body of the tree, is the part
selected for food. It will act in staying the appetite,
but cannot, for any great length of time, support life.
It is dangerous to allow starving animals to eat
freely of it; the trappers, therefore, fed it to them
but sparingly.

The intense cold operated to bring upon them
another serious annoyance, in the shape of immense
herds of starving buffalo, which, goaded on by the
pangs of hunger, would watch for an opportunity to
gore the animals and steal their scanty allowance of
provender. It was only by building large fires in the

MURDERED BY SIOUX INDIANS. 133

valleys and constantly standing guard that the trappers
succeeded in keeping them off.

During the winter, to beguile the time, the whites
vied with their Indian allies in many of their sports.
As game existed in superabundance, always ready for
a loaded rifle, both parties were contented and happy.
Time flew away rapidly and soon brought again the
sunshine of spring, with the buds and blossoms, gay
wild flowers, green herbage and forest verdure. For
the purpose of procuring supplies, the trappers dis-
patched two messengers to Fort Laramie. They did
not return and were never again heard from. The
conclusion which gained belief was, that they had
been murdered by the Sioux Indians. The party
waited as long as they possibly could for the return of
their two companions, but, finally were compelled to
commence the spring hunt without .them. They trap-
ped a short time on the Yellow Stone River and then
went to the Twenty-Five Yard River. From thence
they proceeded to the head waters of the Missouri, and,
on the most northern of its forks, remained some time,
meeting with considerable success. Here they obtained
news of the Blackfeet Indians, which showed that the
ravages of the small-pox had been greatly overesti-
mated. They were still nearly as strong, and in char-
acter, had not at all become subdued. Upon drawing
near to the source of this river, they discovered that
the main village of these savages, their old foes, was in
close proximity. This was pleasing intelligence to the
trappers. They had suffered too many unprovoked in-
sults at their hands not to desire the avenging of their
wrongs and to punish them by way of retaliation. Dur-
ing the wrhole winter, and, in fact, from the time the

134 PLANS FOR THE CAMPAIGN.

party was first organized, they had anxiously abided
their opportunity to meet and punish the rascally
Blackfeet warriors. The old scores or sores had been
festering too long, and here was a chance to probe
them satisfactorily.

The party cautiously followed upon the trail which
led to the Indian encampment until within one day's
journey of it. Here they came to a halt. Kit Carson,
with five men, wras sent in advance to reconnoitre.
Upon approaching the Indians, the reconnoitering
party discovered them busily engaged driving in their
animals to saddle and pack, and making such other
preparations necessary to the effecting of a hurried de-
campment. Kit and his companions hastened back and
reported the results of their observations. A council
was immediately held which decided to send out forty-
three picked men to give battle ; and, for the com-
mander of this party, Kit Carson was unanimously
elected. The 'fifty-five men left behind under Mr. Fon-
tenelle had the onerous duty of guarding the aninlals
and equipage. It was a part of the programme, also,
that the latter force should move on slowly and act as
a reserve in case of need.

Kit Carson and his command were in fine spirits, and
lost no time in overhauling the village. In the first
charge they killed ten of the bravest warriors. The
savages quickly recovered from this blow and com-
menced retreating in good order. For three consecu-
tive hours they heroically received a series of these
furious and deadly assaults without offering much re-
sistance. At the end of this time the firing of the
mountaineers began to slacken, as their ammunition
was running low. These experienced and brave, though

Although some distance off, Kit sprang from his saddle, and, with the leap of an
antelope, and the rallying cry for his men, \vus on the ground, ready to made a oer-
t»iu »hot. His aim and the crack of his rifle almost belonged to the same instant of
time. — PAGE 133.

KIT SAVES COTTON'S LIFE. 13 J

rascally Indians, soon surmised the cause of this sudden
change of affairs. Rallying their forces, they turned
Upon their assailants in right good earnest, and a des-
perate hand-to-hand engagement ensued. The white
men now had an opportunity to use their small arms,
which told with such terrible effect upon their foes
that they were soon driven back again. They, how-
ever, rallied once more and charged so manfully that
the trappers were forced to retreat. In this latter en-
gagement a horse belonging to a mountaineer by the
name of Cotton, fell, throwing his rider and holding him
on the ground by his weight. This happened as he
was passing a point of rocks. Six of the warriors, see-
ing the accident, instantly hurried forward to take Cot-
ton's scalp. But Kit Carson's eagle eye was watching
every part of the battle-field, and discovered, in time
to be of service, the danger to which his friend was
exposed. Although some distance off, Kit sprang from
his saddle, and with the leap of an antelope, and the
rallying cry for his men, was on the ground, ready to
make a certain shot. His aim and the crack of his rifle
almost belonged to the same instant of time. It was
none the less sure. The foremost warrior, a powerful
savage, whose fingers evidently itched for the scalp of
the mountaineer, fell, shot through the heart. By this
time others had followed the bold example of their
leader, when the five remaining warriors, seeing the
imminent danger wnich threatened them, turned to
run back into their band. But two of them, however,
reached a place of safety. The remainder, caught in
their fleet career by the unerring and death-dealing
bullets of the mountaineers, measured their lengths
upon the battle-ground, stricken with wounds which de-

136 AN EXCITING SKIRMISH.

manded and received from them their last wild war-
whoop.

When Kit Carson fired, his horse, being under no
restraint, became frightened and dashed away, leaving
his brave rider on foot. Kit, however, instantly com-
prehended his position. The fallen horseman had suc-
ceeded in extricating himself, but not without difficulty,
for the ground was very uneven. He had received a
few pretty severe contusions, but was, notwithstanding
these, worth a dozen Indians yet, and failed not to show
the fact. Seeing Cotton thus all right, Kit Carson
made his way to one of his companions, and, as the
fighting had, apparently by mutual consent, ceased for
a few moments, mounted up behind him, and thus re-
joined the main body of his men. The runaway horse,
after quite a chase, was soon captured by a trapper and
returned to his captain. A period of inactivity now
reigned over the battle-field, each party apparently
waiting for the other to again open the ball. During
this resting spell, the reserve division of the trappers
came in sight, having been anxiously expected for some
time. The Indians showed no fear at this addition to
the number of their adversaries. On the contrary,
being no doubt carried away by their recent success
in making a stand, they commenced posting themselves
among the rocks about one hundred and fifty yards dis-
tant from the position taken np by the trappers. The
arrival of the reserve was a great relief to the advance,
because they were tired of fighting without ammuni-
tion. Having well filled their ammunition pouches
they once more became eager for the affray. Every-
thing being in readiness, with a cheer, they started on
foot to attack and dislodge the enemy. In a few mo-

FIGHTING AMONG THE ROCKS. 139

ments was commenced the severest skirmish of the
day. It became so exciting that frequently a trapper
would occupy one side, and a stalwart warrior the
other, of sorne large rock, each intent upon the life of
his adversary. In such cases it required the closest
watchfulness and the utmost dexterity to kill or dis-
lodge the bold savage. The power of powder in the
hands of skillful men soon began to assert its superior-
ity in the battle, and when once the Indians commenced
to waver, it was all over with them. Their first wa-
vering soon broke into a complete rout, when they ran
for their lives. As they scattered in every direction,
the pursuit which followed was short. In this battle
the trappers considered that they had thoroughly set-
tled all outstanding accounts with the Blackfeet In-
dians, for they had killed a large number of their war-
riors and wounded many more. On their side three
men only were killed and a few severely wounded.

Fontenelle and his men camped for a few days in the
vicinity of the scene of their late engagement, burying
their dead and repairing damages. They then resumed
the business of trapping, traversing the Blackfeet coun-
try whenever they chose, without fear of molestation.
The success in their late engagement seemed to follow
them in their business, for their stock of fur accumu-
lated rapidly.

While they were encamped upon Green River, an
express rider, sent by the traders, came into camp and
informed the party that the rendezvous would be held
on Mud River. With a large stock of beaver, the party
started for that place, arriving in eight days.

Besides the usual traders and trappers, the party met
at this rendezvous some missionaries and a distinguished

140 "OLD FATHER DE SMIDT."

English nobleman, Sir William Stuart. Of this latter
gentleman, Kit Carson says : " For the goodness of his
heart and numerous rare qualities of mind, he will
always be remembered by those of the mountaineers
who had the honor of bis acquaintance."

Among the missionaries was " Old Father De Smidt,"
as he afterwards came to be familiarly called. Perhaps
there never was a person in the wilds of America who
became so universally beloved, both by the white and
red man. While in the mountains, he acted with un-
tiring zeal for the good of all with whom he came in
contact. Wherever duty called him, there he was sure
to be found, no matter what the obstacles or dangers
spread upon the path. He worked during a long series
of years in these dangerous localities, and accomplished
much good. When, at last, he returned to civilization,
he left an indelible name behind him. For years he
was a leading literary and religious man in St. Louis,
Mo., and, at the time of his death, which took place
only a short time ago, was beloved and respected by
all that knew him.

In twenty days after the camp at the rendezvous was
formed, it broke up again into small parties. Kit Car-
son, with seven companions, went to Brown's Hole.
This was a trading post. Here they found two traders
who were contemplating getting up a business expedi-
tion to the Navajoe Indians.- This tribe exhibits more
traces of white blood than any other of the wild races
in North America. They are brave, and fond of own-
ing large possessions. These consist chiefly of immense
herds of fine horses and sheep. In this respect they
are not unlike the ancient inhabitants of the earth,
who " watched their roving store" on Syrian soil and

AMONG THE NAVAJOES. 141

the contiguous countries. The parties who desired to
trade with them usually carried a stock of trinkets and
articles of use, for which they received horses, mules,
blankets, and lariets.*

Navajoe blankets are very celebrated in the far west
of America, and especially in Old Mexico, where they
are in great demand and command high prices. Many
of these articles are really beautiful, and, from their
fine texture, together with the great amount of labor
spent in their manufacture, are expensive, even when
purchased of the Indians. The art of weaving these
blankets has been long known to the Navajoe Indians,
and all the female children belonging to the nation are
taught the art diiring their earliest years. It is only
after much practice, however, that they become expert.

Kit Carson joined the two traders, whose names were
Thompson and Sinclair, and made the trip with them
which they had planned. They realized very hand-
somely from it, bringing back a large drove of very
fine mules. The animals were driven to the Fort, on
the South Fork of the Platte, where they were disposed
of at fair prices. Having received his share of the
profits, Kit returned again to Brown's Hole. The sea-
son was too far gone for him to think of joining another
trapping expedition that fall. He therefore began to
look about for some suitable employment for the
winter. As soon as it became known that his services
were open for an engagement, several offers were made
him, all of which he rejected. The reader will doubt-
less see a contrast between the Kit Carson renowned
as a trapper and hunter, and the Kit Carson who, at

* A lariet Is a beautifully made rope, manufactured from hides, and used for picketing
horses out upon the prairies. They aro worth, in New Mexico, about two dollars each.

142 HUNTER TO THE FORT.

Taos, only a few years before, was glad to hire out as
a cook, in order to gain his daily sustenance. For some
time, strong inducements of high wages had been held
out to him by the occupants of the Fort, in order to
prevail upon him to accept the responsible and ardu-
ous office of Hunter to the Fort. The task of supply
ing, by the aid of the rifle, all the flesh twenty men
would naturally consume during an entire winter,
formed the duty required and expected from this offi-
cer. The inducements were so tempting, the task so
congenial with his feelings, and withal, the urgent per-
suasions of the men so pressing, that Kit Carson finally
accepted the offer and entered upon his duties. He
soon showed the company that he knew his business,
and could perform it with an ease and certainty which
failed not to elicit universal esteem and commendation.
When the time arrived for him to resign the office in
the spring, he left behind him golden opinions of his
skill as a marksman.

ANOTHER TRAPPING EXPEDITION. 143

CHAPTER YI.

Bridger and Carson trapping on the Black Hills — The Main Camp — The
Rendezvous — Winter Quarters on the Yellow Stone — Carson with
forty men in a desperate tight with the Blackfeet Indians — A Council
— Sentinel posted — One Thousand Warriors come to punish the
Trappers — The War Dance — The Courage of the Savages deserts
them — Winter Quarters — The Spring Hunt — Another Fight with the
Blackfeet — Continued Annoyances — The Trappers abandon the Coun-
try— Scenery on the Columbia — The Rocky Mountains and Alps
compared — Other Trapping Expeditions — Beaver becoming scarce —
Prices of Fur reduced — Kit Carson and the Trappers give up their
Vocation — The Journey to Bent's Fort — Mitchell the Mountaineer —
His Eccentricities.

IN the spring, Kit Carson joined Bridger. With
four companions they went to the Black Hills to hunt.
In the streams adjacent to that country, the beaver ex-
isted in large numbers, and their success in trapping
was excellent.

Soon after arriving, however, the party broke up.
Kit Carson and a trapper named Owens made a hunt
by themselves, and were very fortunate in obtaining a
large stock of the fur. After which they joined the
main camp of the trappers on Green River. When
the summer was pretty well advanced, the camp was
broken up and all its occupants started for the rendez-
vous, this year held on the Popoayhi, a branch of the
Wind River.

In the fall, most of the trappers went to the country
which lies in the immediate neighborhood of the Yel-

9

141 AGAIX AFTER THE RED-SKIXS.

low Stone River. Having trapped all the streams
there, they went into winter quarters on that stream.

Nothing was heard of their sworn enemies, the Black-
feet Indians, until about the middle of the winter. A
party who were out hunting suddenly came upon some
signs which, looking suspicious, attracted their attention.
To these signs they gave a close investigation, and fully
made up their minds that they were close to the strong-
hold of their foes. Without waiting to follow up the
signs, they immediately retraced their steps and in-
formed their party in camp of their conviction that
trouble was brewing. A command of forty men was
instantly detailed to seek out the Indians and give
them battle Kit Carson was once more called upon
to lead the brave trappers in this expedition, and
everything was left to his direction and good judg-
ment. Soon after commencing their march, the com-
pany fell in with a scouting party of the enemy in the
vicinity of the spot where the fresh signs had been dis-
covered. To this party the trappers gave chase, wisely
concluding they would run for their main body. The
result satisfied their anticipations. In a short time they
found themselves opposed to a strong band of Indians,
when a regular fight was instantly commenced. After
quite a spirited contest, the Indians gave way and re-
treated, but in good order, to an island in the Yellow
Stone River, where they had previously erected strong
barricades. Night put a stop to the scenes of the day,
and further action was deferred until the next morning.
As soon as the light would again warrant it, the trap-
pers plunged into the stream and made for the island,
being determined to dislodge the Indians. To their
great dismay the brave savages had already retreated,

RED WITH FRESH BLOOD. 145

having quietly given them the slip during the night.
The result of the battle the day before was now made
apparent. It was evident that not much powder had
been wasted in the action. The snow within the forti-
fication was red with fresh blood, and from the place a
bloody trail led to a hole in the ice of the stream where
a large number of lifeless bodies had been sunk. There
was nothing now to be done except to return to camp.
Upon their arrival a council was convened to devise
measures and plans for their future conduct. It was
quite evident to all that the campaign had but just com-
menced. It was the general impression that the main
village of the Blackfeet tribe had been located within
a few miles. When, therefore, the news of their recent
severe loss should be carried there by the survivors in
the battle, active measures would be set on foot to seek
revenge. It was the decision of the council that the
trappers should act chiefly on the defensive. Measures
were immediately set on foot to guard against surprise.
To make everything doubly secure, none but the most
trusty and well-tried men were detailed to perform sen-
tinel duty. Near their camp there was a very lofty hill
which commanded a fine view of the surrounding coun-
try. Upon this eminence they posted a sentinel through-
out the day-time. Their arrangements having been all
determined upon and plans laid, the execution of them,
to men so well skilled in frontier life, occupied but little
time. Notwithstanding this celerity in their movements,
they had been none too quick. Soon after their prepa-
rations were fully made, the sentinel on the hill gave his
signal indicating the approach of the Indians, showing
that their precaution in this respect had been a wise
one. The order was immediately given to erect strong

146 AN INDIAN WAR-DANCE.

breastworks. This task was so successfully accomplished
that, in a few hours, they had prepared a little fortress
which, covered with their unerring rifles, was impreg-
nable against any force the Indians could bring against
it. The advance party of the savages soon appeared in
sight, but when they discovered the strength of the trap-
pers, they halted and awaited, distant about half a mile
from the breastwork, the arrival of the rest of the band.
It was three days before the whole force of the Indians
had arrived. They mustered about one thousand war-
riors. It was a sight which few white men of the
American nation have looked upon. Arrayed in their
fantastic war costume and bedaubed with paint, armed
with lances, bows and arrows, rifles, tomahawks, knives,
etc., some mounted and some on foot, they presented a
wild and fearful scene of barbaric strength and fancy.
Soon after their last company had reported, the fright-
ful war-dance, peculiar to the American savages, was
enacted in sight of the trappers' position. The battle
songs and shouts which accompanied the dance reached
the ears of the whites with fearful distinctness. Any
other than hearts of oak with courage of steel would
have quailed before this terrible display of savage en-
mity and ferocity. This dance, to men so well skilled
in the ways of the Indian warrior, was a sure signal that
the next day would be certain to have a fearful his-
tory for one party or the other, and doubtless for both.
The odds, most assuredly, were apparently greatly in
favor of the savage host and against the little band of
hardy mountaineers.

The following day the expectations of the trappers
were realized. The Indians, at the first dawn of day,
approached the breastwork, eager for the battle. They

AN INDIAN WAR DANCE.

AFRAID TO FACE THE DANGER. 149

were evidently very much astonished at beholding the
invincibility of the trappers' position. It was what
they had not calculated upon, and seemed to cast a
perfect damper upon their courage. After firing a few
shots, which did no harm, and seeing that nothing could
be accomplished except by a charge, they commenced
a retreat. The trappers, though only sixty strong,
were filled with disappointment and chagrin at the
course taken by their wary foes. They began to shout
to their enemies in derisive terms, hoping the taunts
would exasperate and draw them into an attack. Noth-
ing, however, would tempt them to face the danger,
for they withdrew to a spot about one mile from the
little fort and sat down in council. The speeches ap-
peared to be generally opposed to risking an assault,
for, after the council was dissolved, the Indians divided
into two nearly equal parties and immediately marched
off. One band took the direction of the Crow country,
and the other shaped their course in the direction from
whence they came.

The trappers remained at their little fort during the
winter, and were not again disturbed by the Indians.
Early in the following spring, they set their traps on
one of the tributaries of the Missouri River, and finished
the hunt on the head of Lewis' Fork. They then de-
parted for the rendezvous which was held on Green
River, near the mouth of Horse Creek, remaining there
until the month of August, and until the meeting was
dissolved.

Kit Carson, on the breaking up of the camp at the
rendezvous, accompanied by five other trappers, went
to Fort Hall, and joined a party attached to the " North-
west Fur Company." With this band he trapped to

150 MEETING OF OLD FRIENDS.

the head of Salmon River. Thence they went to
Malade Eiver, trapping down it to where it empties
into the Big Snake River. They continued on up this
latter river, and then, after trapping on Goose Creek
and Raft River, returned to Fort Hall. Their stock of
fur was quite -extensive on their arrival here, and, an
opportunity offering to dispose of it, they sold out at a
fair valuation. After recruiting their strength at the
Fort for one month, Kit Carson, accompanied by most
of the trappers, set out to join Bridger, who was still in
the country of the Blackfeet Indians. Upon striking
the Missouri River, signs of trappers were discovered, in-
dicating that, whoever the party or parties might be,
they were now above the place where Kit and his party
then were. With fourteen companions, Kit started in
advance of the main party to overtake, and report who
these men were. Towards evening of the same day,
the advance party came up with the trappers, and found
that they were under the charge of Joseph Gale and in
the employ of Captain Wyatt.

Gale informed Carson that his command had recently
been engaged in a closely contested fight with the
Blackfeet Indians; that several of his party had been
wounded, and one, by the name of Richard Owens, was
at first thought to be mortally so, but eventually he
had begun to recover and now was doing well.

Kit and his men remained one night with Gale. On
the following day his party commenced setting their
traps, intending to proceed up the river at a slow pace,
in order to allow the main party to overtake them.
The men sent out to set their traps had not gone from
the camp over two miles before they were fired upon
by a party of Blackfeet Indians and compelled to re-

UNEARTHLY YELLS, AND DESPERATE COURAGE. 151

treat. They did so, succeeding in jofning their com-
rades without the loss of a single man. The pursuit
had been close and well sustained by the savages ;
hence, it became necessary to take instant measures in
order to insure the safety of the advance. Kit Carson,
who was the commander of the party, after quietly
surveying the scene, gave orders for the men, with
their animals, to conceal themselves, as best they could
in the brush. His orders had been issued but just in
time, for the concealment was barely attained, when
the Indians were upon them. They were received
with a well-directed volley from the rifles of the little
party, which brought down several of the fierce assail-
ants. They recoiled and retreated for a moment. The
moment was golden to the few white men. Like men
who were fighting for their lives, but who were cool
in danger, they made no mistakes in reloading their
rifles. They were but just ready, however, for the sec-
ond charge. This time the savages came on with un-
earthly yells and desperate courage, seemingly well
satisfied that before them stood the men whose faithful
rifle-talk they had heard before. Kit warned his men
to keep cool and fire as if shooting game, a warning
which was entirely unnecessary, for the result was that
the savages were again driven back with a brave bleed-
ing or dying for nearly every shot fired. It was very
fortunate that Kit had chosen this position, for the en-
gagement lasted nearly the entire day. The loss on
the part of the Indians was very severe. They did
everything in their power to force Kit and his party
from their cover, but without avail. Every time they
attempted to charge into the thicket the same deadly
volley was poured in with never-failing aim, which in-

152 DRIVEN OUT OF THE COUNTRY.

variably caused the savages to beat a hasty retreat.
Before the next attack the trappers ware ready for them
with reloaded rifles. At last, as if driven to despera-
tion, the Indians set the thicket on fire, hoping to burn
out their foes. Most providentially, in this also they
were foiled. After consuming the outer shrubbery, the
fire died out. This was the last act attempted by the
savages. Seeing the ill success of their effort to dis-
lodge the trappers by fire, they departed. They may
have been hurried in this leave-taking somewhat by
news brought in by their spies of the near approach
of the main body of the trappers, which had arrived at
a point about six miles distant from the battle-ground.
They had been prevented from hearing the reports of
fire-arms, by adverse winds, and knew nothing of the
fight until informed by the trappers engaged in it.
When sufficient time had elapsed for the Indians to
be well out of sight, Kit Carson and his companions
left their cover and soon found their way into the
camp of their friends.

Gale was so continually annoyed by these Indians
that he joined the other trappers and together they
concluded to leave their country. Their combined
forces, though able to cope with them so far as defen-
sive measures were necessary, was utterly powerless to
overawe them. This made it next to an impossibility
for them to continue in their country with a hope of
success in business. For the purpose of getting rid of
them they moved off, some distance, to a small creek
where beaver were plenty. Trouble followed them,
however. The first day of their arrival, one of the
party was killed by the Blackfeet Indians within a short
distance only, of the camp. During the remainder of

11 THE RIVER OF THE WEST." 153

the stay made by the party on this stream, the rascals
hovered around and worried them to such a degree that
a trapper could not leave the camp without falling into
an ambuscade and being forced to fight his way back
again.

It became evident to all interested that, so long as
such a state of affairs existed, they could not employ
their time with just hope of advantage. After a short
council, it was decided to abandon this region of the
country and go to a branch of Columbia River, near
Flat Head Lake.

Of the many beautiful rivers on which Carson trap-
ped, none could equal in scenery the Columbia. It is
" THE RIVER OF THE WEST."

As described by Richardson : " Clear, blue, glassy,
dotted with little islands of greenest foliage, and broken
by dangerous rapids, the Columbia is unrivaled upon
our continent in grandeur and magnitude. The Hud-
son no more compares with it than does the Arkansas
with the Hudson." " Beside it rise grand, abrupt moun-
tains, deeply wooded with firs, crowned with stupen-
dous rocks, carpeted by yellow moss, girdled with
strands of snowy cloud, and streaked with water-falls
of perfect whiteness.' After several narrow escapes
from the troublesome Blackfeet, our party accomplished
the journey, and commenced the business of trapping.

Proceeding up the river, on the fourth day, they
came, suddenly, upon a large village of Flathead and
Pondrai Indians, who were encamped upon its banks.
These Indians were friendly to the whites. A chief of
the Flatheads and several of his people joined the
trappers, and went with them to the Big Snake River,
where they established their winter quarters. The

154 MOUNTAINS OF SNOW.

winter passed away so quietly that not a single incident
occurred beyond the usual routine, which the imagina-
tion of the reader can easily supply. It was quite cold
that season, and the snow fell to a great depth. Every-
thing, however, was arranged as best conduced to com-
fort, and the trappers found a pleasant and congenial
exercise in hunting to supply their daily wants.

The winter seasons in the Rocky Mountains are usu-
ally fearful and severe. There, snow-storms form moun-
tains for themselves, filling up the passes for weeks,
even those which are low being impracticable either for
man or beast. As a set-off to all this, the scenery is
most grand, provided the beholder is well housed. If
the case is otherwise, and he be doomed to combat these
terrible storms, his situation is most critical. During
the summer months, the lofty peaks of this mighty chain
of mountains, like those of the Alps, are covered with
white caps of snow. As time, the bright sun, and the
south wind wear out these old-lady head-gearings, no
matter what be the part of the year, whether the cold
days of January or the hot days of August, the snow-
storms are faithful in replenishing them. It affords a
contrast of the elements of the grandest conception to
stand in the shade of some wavy verdure of the valley,
wiping off the unbidden perspiration from the brow, and,
at the same instant, look upon a darkly threatening
storm-cloud powdering the heads of the hoary monster
mountains from its freight of flaky snow. So for, tin-so
American giant mountains are unsurpassed by their
Alpine neighbors of Europe. Not so in the glaciers.
Throughout the great range, there are none of those
beautiful glaciers to be found that can compare with
those possessed by their compeers in Europe.

THE ALPS OF AMERICA. 157

To the traveler whose taste has led him to wander
along the " Great backbones," or vertebrae, of the two
hemispheres, preparing the mind to draw truthful con-
trast, his pleasantest reveries will find him drawing
comparisons between them. He is never tired, for the
subject he cannot exhaust. When, supposing that his
conclusions are at last made, and that the Alps have
won the highest place in favor, some forgotten scene
from America will assume the form and shape of a vivid
recollection, rife with scenic grandeur and sublimity,
restoring the Rocky chain to its counterpoise ; then an
hour of peril and fearful toil will come to memory, and,
until the same mental process shall bring them again
to an equilibrium, the far-famed Alps will descend in
the balance. Each have their attractions, each their
grandeur, each their sublimity, each their wonderful,
awful silence, each their long and glorious landscape
views, while, to each, the general contour is the same
In the point of altitude, the Rocky chain, as is well
known to science, has the advantage ; but, in historical
science and lore, the famous Alps stand preeminent
True, it is from ignorance that we are led to concede
this, because no man can give to the world the reminis-
cences of the Rocky Mountains. Their history, since
the first red man entered them, must forever rest in
oblivion. In scenery, these mountains of the Western
Continent again carry off the palm, for they strike the
observer as being more bold, wild, and picturesque
than their formidable rivals. To the foot-worn traveler,
who has journeyed thirty or forty days upon the level
prairies, seeing nothing to break the monotony of a sea
of earth, the dark outlines of the Rocky Mountains,
gradually coming into the view, never fail to prove a

158 MAGNIFICENT SCENERY.

refreshing sight both to the physical and mental eye.
They appear as if descending from the heavens to the
surface of the earth, perpendicularly., as though in-
tended to present a perfect barrier over which no living
thing should pass. This view never fails to engross the
earnest attention of the traveler, and hours of gazing
only serve to enwrap the mind in deeper and more
fixed contemplation. Is there not here presented a
field such as no other part of this globe can furnish, in
which the explorer, the geologist, the botanist may sow
and reap a rich harvest for his enterprise ? To the
hunter, the real lover of, and dependent upon the chase,
there can be no comparison between the mighty Alps
and the huge Rocky Mountain Barrier of the American
Prairies. The one is destitute of animal life, while the
other bears a teeming population of the choicest game
known to the swift-leaden messenger of the white man's
rifle. He who wishes to behold in the same gaze beautiful
valleys, highly cultivated by a romantic and interest-
ing race, in rich contrast with wronderfully moulded
masses of earth and stone, covered with a medley of
green foliage and white snow, let him go the Alps.

In the following spring, Kit Carson, accompanied by
only one trapper, started out to hunt the streams in
the vicinity of Big Snake River. The Utah nation of
Indians inhabited this country, and with them Kit Car-
son stood on friendly footing. The business of trap-
ping was therefore carried on without fear of molesta-
tion. The labors of the two were crowned with great
success.

Loaded with a full cargo of fur, they soon after set
out for Robidoux's Fort, which they reached in safety,
selling out their stock to good advantage.

"HERE COMES PARSON WILLIAMS." 159

Kit Carson made only a short stop at this Fort. As
soon as his fur was disposed of, he immediately organ-
ized a small party consisting of five trappers and made
a journey to Grand River. After thoroughly trapping
this river, he established himself at Brown's Hole on
Green River for the winter. Early in the spring he
returned with the same party to the country of the
Utahs and hunted there for some time. He then
went to the middle Park, where they finished their
trapping operations and returned to Robidoux's Fort.
Here Kit met many of his old friends and associates,
and among them William Williams, better known as
" Parson Williams " and « Old Bill Williams." It will
not be out of place to give a short history of this re-
markable man.

William Williams was a most celebrated character in
the Rocky Mountains, where he lived for many years.
At one time he was a Methodist preacher in the State
of Missouri, which he frequently boasted of in after life.
Whenever relating this part of his eventful career, he
used to say that he was so well known in his circuit,
that the chickens recognized him as he came riding
past the farm-houses. The old chanticleers would crow,
" Here comes Parson Williams ! One of us must be
made ready for dinner." Upon quitting the States, he
traveled extensively among the various tribes of wild
Indians throughout the far West and adopted their man-
ners and customs. Whenever he grew weary of one
nation, he would go to another. To the Missionaries,
he was often very useful. He possessed the faculty of
easily acquiring languages, and could readily translate
most of the Bible into several Indian dialects. His
own conduct, however, was frequently in strange con-

160 AN INSANE GUIDE.

trast with the precepts of that Holy Book. He next
turns up as a hunter and trapper ; when, in this capac-
ity, he became more celebrated for his wild and daring
adventures, than before he had been for his mild pre-
cepts. By many of his companions, he was looked
upon as a man who was partially insane. Williams
proved to be a perfect enigma and terror to the Mexi-
cans, who thought him possessed of an evil spirit He
once settled for a short time in their midst and became
a trader. Soon after he had established himself, he
had a quarrel with some of his customers about his
charges. He appeared to be instantly disgusted with
the Mexicans, for he threw his small stock of goods
into the street of the town where he lived, seized his
rifle and started again for the mountains. His knowl-
edge of the country over which he had wandered, was
very extensive ; but, when Colonel Fremont put it to
the test, he came very near sacrificing his life to his
guidance. This was probably owing to the failing of
Williams' intellect ; for, when he joined the great ex-
plorer, he was past the meridian of life. After be-
queathing his name to several mountains, rivers and
passes, which were undoubtedly discovered by him, he
was slain by the red men while trading with them.

At Robidoux's Fort, Carson again found a purchaser
for his fur; but, the prices at which he was obliged to
sell them, did not at all please him. Within a few
years, the value of beaver fur had greatly deteriorated.
This was caused by the slow demand which had gradu-
ally ruled at the great emporiums of Europe and
America. The skill of the manufacturer had substi-
tuted a material for the making of hats which, while
it was cheaper, pleased the great race of hat-wearers.

AN INDIAN SIGN OF MOURNING. 161

The beaver itself was becoming scarce, owing to their
being so diligently hunted. It was evident to Kit Car-
son and many of his mountaineer companions that
their occupation was gradually becoming less profita-
ble, and that it would soon drive them into other em-
ployments. Acting upon this impression, Kit Carson,
accompanied by "Old Bill Williams," William New,
Mitchell and Fredericks, a Frenchman, started for Bent's
Fort, which was then located on the Arkansas River,
near a large forest of cotton-wood trees, and which is,
even at this day, known as the " Big Timbers." The
party struck the river at a point abput one hundred
miles above the Fort, where, in later years, was built a
settlement called St. Charles, and which for many years
was subjected to various kinds of annoyances from In-
dians. On one occasion it was attacked by the hos-
tile Utahs and Apaches, who killed and carried off as
prisoners a total of sixteen settlers. Among the slain
was a Canadian who fought so skillfully and desper-
ately before he was dispatched, that he killed three of
his assailants. When his body was found, it was liter-
ally pierced through and through with lance and ar-
row wounds, while the hand with which he had caught
hold of some of these weapons, was nearly cut to
pieces. Around his corpse, there were a dozen horses'
tails which had been cut from the horses which were
owned by the dead warriors, and left there, as a sign
of mourning, by the Indians.

On reaching the river, two of the party, Mitchell and
New, concluded to tarry awhile in order to gratify their
humor for hunting. But Kit Carson, with the remain-
der of the mountaineers, continued on their course, and
in three days' time were safely lodged within the walls

162 AN ECCEXTEIC MOUNTAINEER.

of the Fort. One week subsequently Mitchell and New
followed their companions to the Fort, but in a sad
plight. They had not suspected danger, and, conse-
quently had failed to guard against it. They had been
surrounded by Indians and deprived of everything they
possessed except their naked bodies. In this denuded
state they arrived at the Fort. They were kindly re-
ceived and provided for by its noble-hearted proprie-
tors, and for some time enjoyed a respite from all their
troubles.

This mountaineer Mitchell, full of eccentricities of
character, has seen the ups and downs of a frontiers-
man during a long and eventful life. He once joined
the Camanche nation and became one of their braves.

In this capacity he won great renown by the efficient
and active part he took in several engagements between
the tribe of his adoption and their enemies. His real
object in turning Indian was to discover the locality of
a gold mine which was said to have an existence in
some of the mountains of northern Texas. Having
convinced himself that the story of the gold mine, like
many of the tales and traditions which gain currency
in Indian countries, was entirely without foundation,
Mitchell, with some plausible excuse, bid his red
friends good-by and sought out his old comrades, the
trappers, to whom he ever afterwards proved faithful.
Some years since, Mitchell paid a trading visit to the
States. On his route it became necessary that he should
pass over the Kansas Territory, just at a time when po-
litical difficulties there were exciting the people to the
highest pitch of anxiety. The consequence was, that
his views upon the all-absorbing questions at issue
were frequently asked for by members of both parties.

DISGUSTED WITH THE WHITES. 163

To all these queries he invariably replied, professing
his ignorance of everything that appertained thereto.
This caused him to be regarded as a dangerous man,
and one not to be trusted. He was accordingly treated
with indifference and silent reserve. This, to a moun-
taineer, who, during a long period of years, had met
every " pale face " as a brother, was insupportable usage.
In all haste he finished his business, relinquished his con-
templated journey through the States, and started to
return to his home in New Mexico. While upon the
road, he accidentally fell in with a friend, and, in reply
to the question, Where have you been ? said :

"After a lapse of many years, I thought I should like
to see the whites again, so I was going to the States.
But the sample I have seen in Kansas is enough to dis-
gust a man with their character. They do nothing but
get up war-parties against one another; and I would
much rather be in an Indian country than in civilized
Kansas." Mitchell is full of dry humor and commands
the faculty of telling a good story, which makes him a
pleasant traveling companion.

Since the time when Kit Carson first joined a trap-
ping expedition, up to the time of his arrival at Bent's
Fort, a period of eight long years, he had known no
rest from arduous toil. Not even when, to the reader,
he was apparently idle, buried in the deep snows of the
Rocky Mountains and awaiting the return of Spring,
has he rested from toil. Even then his daily life has
been given up to bodily fatigue and danger, frequently
in scenes which, although of thrilling interest, are too
lengthy for this narrative. It has been our purpose
thus far to present Kit Carson undergoing his novitiate.

We regard, and we think a world will eventually re-
10

164 YEARS OF STIRRING, PRACTICAL LIFE.

gard, this extraordinary man as one raised up by Prov-
idence to fulfill a destiny of His all-wise decree. It is
premature for us, at this stage of our work to advance
the argument upon which this conclusion, so irresistibly
to our mind, is deduced. We have yet before us an
array of historical fact and incident to relate, without
parallel in the history of nations, and in which Kit
Carson played no insignificant part. For these eight
years of stirring, practical life, Kit Carson, relying upon
his beloved rifle for his sustenance and protection, had
penetrated every part of the interior of the North
American Continent, setting his traps upon every river
of note which rises within this interior, and tracing them
from the little springs which originate them to the wide
mouths from which they pour their surcharged waters
into the mighty viaducts or drains of the vast prairies,
and the mighty leviathan ranges of the Rocky Moun-
tains. In this time he had wandered over a wild terri-
tory equal in its dimensions to nearly all of the em-
pires, kingdoms and principalities of Europe combined.
His journeys, as it has already appeared, were made
sometimes on foot and sometimes on horseback. By
themselves, his travels will be called no trivial under-
takings. Each fresh adventure led him into regions
where but seldom, and more frequently never, had a
white man trod the soil. He was, therefore, now an
explorer in every sense of that distinguishing word,
with the single exception that he had not produced the
results which the early culture and advantages of a
scientific and classical education might have brought
about. But the history of the world furnishes few ex-
amples, if indeed any, where the physical training, prac-
tical skill and knowledge of a country, as possessed

GOD IN NATURE; GOD IN EVENTS.

by Kit Carson, have been united with scholastic lore.
At all events, in the wisdom of that special Prov-
idence which was intending the gold mines of Cali-
fornia to be consecrated to the advancement of Ameri-
can civilization, with its religious freedom, personal
liberties and sacred literature, the novitiate of Kit Car-
son was decreed to be wholly of a practical nature. But
while Kit Carson, with his rifle, was thus reared up in
character, courage and experience, the same All-wise
hand was directing the pathway of a mind, equal to
accomplish His call, through all the labyrinths of Sci-
ence, History and the Arts, endowing that mind with
a keenness of intellectual grasp in strange contrast
with the practical skill of its future guide. Those who
see no God in nature, no God in events, may batter
away at this proposition. The record of Kit Carson's
future tasks will prove it to be an invincible stronghold
of theory.

Kit Carson's mind had now become well stored with
facts and localities which were destined to be made
known to the world through his connections with oth-
ers. It is not detracting from the merits of any one to
assert that, without frontiersmen like Kit Carson, the
numerous scientific expeditions which have been sent
out by the United States Government to explore the
far West, would have returned but sorry and meagre
records for their employers. After reading some of
the many printed accounts which parties of a more re-
cent date have gathered from their experience, while
making their way overland to the Pacific, and also the
sad fate of some brave men, with noble hearts, who
have fallen a sacrifice upon the altar of science under
the fatal blows of hostile savages, attributable, no

166 THE HARDSHIPS OF LIFE.

doubt, in some measure, to bad advice, we can thus
more easily form a correct judgment of the hardships
which Kit Carson was called upon to endure, and the
wisdom or skill which he had displayed in surmounting
every obstacle on his wild and solitary pathway. The
hardships which fell to the lot of the " trappers of olden
time " also stand o'ut in bolder relief. Out of the whole
catalogue of labors, from which man, to gain an honest
livelihood, has selected, there is not one profession
which presents so many formidable obstacles as that
under consideration ; yet, it was with difficulty that
the mountaineers could wean themselves from their
calling, even when forced by stern necessity.

HUNTER TO THE FORT. 167

OHAPTEE Til.

Kit Carson is employed as Hunter to Bent's Fort — His career for Eight
Years — Messrs. Bent and St. Vraiu — The Commencement of his Ac-
quaintance with John C. Fremont on a Steamboat — Is employed as a
Guide by the Great Explorer — The Journey — Arrival at Fort Lara-

mie — Indian Difficulties The business of the Expedition completed

— Return to Fort Laramie — Kit Carson goes to Taos and is married
—He is employed as Hunter to a Train of Wagons bound for the
States — Meeting with Captain Cook and four companies of U. S.
Dragoons on Walnut Creek — Mexicans in Trouble — Kit Carson car-
ries a letter for them to Santa Fe — Indians on the route — His safe
Arrival — Amijos' advance Guard massacred by the Texans — The one
Survivor — The Retreat — Kit Carson returns to Bent's Fort — His Ad-
ventures with the Utahs and narrow escape from Death — The Tex-
ans disarmed — The Express Ride performed.

IT has already appeared that Kit Carson was now at
Bent's Fort ; also, that his occupation as a trapper of
beaver had become unprofitable. His services were,
however, immediately put into requisition by Messrs.
Bent and St. Vrain, the proprietors of what was called
Bent's Fort, which was a trading-post kept by those
gentlemen. The position which he accepted was that
of hunter to the Fort. This office he filled from that
time with the most undeviating fidelity and prompti-
tude for eight consecutive years. During all of this
long period not a single word of disagreement passed
between him and his employers, which fact shows better
than mere words that his duty was faithfully and satis-
factorily performed. It is but seldom that such a fact

168 " MONARCH OF THE PKA1K1ES."

can be stated of any employee, no matter what the
service. Here, however, was an example in which the
nature of the employment would, of itself, at times
present cause for discord, such as scarcity of game, bad
luck, and men hungry in consequence. But Kit Car--
son was too skillful in his profession to allow such
reasons to mar his fortunes. With the effort the game
always was at hand, for it was not his custom to return
from his hunts empty-handed.

Of course, Kit Carson's duties were to supply the
traders and their men with all the animal food they
wanted, an easy task when game wras plenty ; but it
would often happen that bands of Indians, which were
always loitering about the trading-post, w^ould precede
him in the chase, thereby rendering his labors often-
times very difficult. From sunrise to sunset, and not
unfrequently during the night, he wandered over the
prairies and mountains within his range in search of
food, for the maintenance, sometimes, of forty men who
composed the garrison of the Fort, and who were
dependent on the skill of their hunter ; but rarely did
he fail them. He knew, for hundreds of miles about
him, the most eligible places to seek for game. During
the eight years referred to, thousands of buffalo, elk,
antelope, and deer fell at the crack of Kit Carson's
rifle. Each day so added to his reputation that it is
not to be wondered at, considering the practice of his
previous life, that he became unrivaled as a hunter.
His name spread rapidly over the Western Continent
until, with the rifle, he was the acknowledged "Monarch
of the Prairies." The wild Indians, accustomed to
measure a man's greatness by the deeds wrhich he is
capable of performing with powder and lead, were com-

KIT AND HIS FAVORITE HORSE "APACHE.

AN HONORED GUEST. 171

pletely carried away in their admiration of the man.
Among the Arrapahoes, Cheyennes, Kiowas, and Caman-
ches, Kit Carson was always an honored guest when-
ever he chose to visit their lodges ; and many a night,
while seated at their watch-fires, he has narrated to
them the exciting scenes of the day's adventures, to
which they have listened with eager attention and un-
restrained delight. When arrayed in his rough hunt-
ing costume, and mounted upon his favorite charger
" Apache," a splendid animal, Kit Carson was a picture
to behold. The buffalo were his favorite game, and
well were they worthy of such a noble adversary. In
the eyes of a sportsman, the buffalo is a glorious prey.
To hunt them is oftentimes attended with great danger;
and, while thus engaged, many a skillful man has
yielded up his life for his temerity.

The American bison or buffalo seems to demand at
our hands a short episode from the narrative of Kit
Carson's life. This animal has several traits of charac-
ter peculiarly his own. If alarmed, he starts off almost
instantly and always runs against the wind, his sense of
smell appearing to be better than his eyesight. What
is a most remarkable fact, a herd of buffalo, when graz-
ing, always post and maintain a line of sentinels to
warn the main body of the approach of danger. When
a strange object comes within sight or smelling distance,
these sentinels immediately give the alarm by tossing
up their heads and tails and bellowing furiously. The
whole herd instantly heed the warning and are soon in
motion. Buffalo run with forelegs stiff, which fact,
together with their ugly-looking humps and the low-
ness of their heads, gives a rocking swing to their gait.
If a herd, when in full motion, have to cross a road on

172 HUNTING THE BUFFALO.

which wagons are traveling, they change their course
but little ; and, it sometimes happens, that large bands
will pass within a stone's throw of a caravan. During
the early days of the Union Pacific Rail Road it was a
common thing to shoot buffalo from the trains. At
night the bands are quite systematic in forming their
camps. In the center are placed the cows and calves ;
while, to guard against the wolves, large numbers of
which always follow them, they station on their out-
posts, the old bulls. The age to which a buffalo may at-
tain is not known ; but, it is certain that they are gen-
erally long-lived when not prematurely cut off. When
their powers of life begin to fade, they fall an easy prey
to the small, carnivorous animals of the plains. The
attempt has been made to domesticate and render them
useful for agricultural purposes. Hitherto such efforts
have invariably failed. When restrained of their free-
dom, they are reduced to mere objects of curiosity.

In hunting buffalo the most important matter for the
attention of the hunter is to provide himself with a
suitable horse. The best that can be selected is a
trained Mexican or Indian pony. Their familiarity
with the game and the prairies, over which the hunter
must ride at full speed, renders these horses quite safe.
On the other hand a green horse is sure to be terribly
frightened when called upon to face these ugly-looking
animals, and the rider will find he has his hands full
to manage him without thinking of his game. One
great danger to be apprehended is the being led into
a prairie-dog town. Here a horse needs experience to
carry his rider through with safety. Upon reaching
the herd, the hunter dashes in at the cows, which are
easily recognized by the fineness of their robes and

BUFFALO HUNT. — PAO* 173.

-

EXCITING SPORT. 173

their smaller forms. The white man hunter, of all
weapons, prefers a revolver ; but the red man uses
the lance, and bow and arrows, which he handles with
remarkable dexterity. The place of election to make
the deadly wound is just behind the fore shoulder,
where the long, shaggy inane of the hump is intersect-
ed by the short hair of the body. The death-wound
being given, the blood gushes out in torrents, and the
victim, after a few bounds, falls on her knees with her
head bunting into the ground. If, by chance, a vital
organ is not reached, the pain of the wound makes the
stricken animal desperately courageous. She turns
upon her pursuer with terrible earnestness, ready to
destroy him. It is now that the horse is to be de-
pended upon. If well trained, he will instantly wheel
and place himself and rider out of harm's way ; but,
woe to both horse and hunter if this is not done. The
lives . of both are in imminent danger. In case the
buffalo is killed, the hunter rides up, dismounts and
makes his lariet fast to the horns of his game. He
next proceeds to cut up the meat and prepare it for
his pack animals which he should have near by. By
their aid he easily carries it into camp.

It would doubtless afford many a page of exciting
interest could we carry the reader through all the va-
ried scenes of the chase in which Kit Carson has been
the principal actor. To transmit to our narrative a
choice fight with the fierce old grizzly bear ; or, per-
chance, a fine old buffalo bull turning on his destroyer
with savage ferocity ; or, a wounded panther, with its
inevitable accompaniment in the shape of a hand-to-
hand encounter for dear life, each of such could not
fail in giving interest to the general reader. We are

174 KIT CARSON MARRIED.

forced, against our own conviction of the duty we owe
the public as Kit Carson's chosen biographer, to puss
by all such acts of his personal daring and triiftnph, be-
cause of his own unwillingness to relate them for pub-
lication. Notwithstanding our urgent requests, backed
up by the advice and interference of friends, Kit Car-
son was inflexibly opposed to relating such acts of him-
self He was even more willing to speak of his failures,
though such were few, rather than of his victories in
the chase. While the description of these adventures
could not fail to furnish useful and interesting data.
most unfortunately, Kit Carson considered that they
were uninteresting minutiae which pertained to the
every-day business of his life, and no persuasion could
induce him to enter upon their relation. Not so when
he was entertaining some of the brave chiefs of the
Indian nations, whose friendship he had won by his
brave deeds. If they were his guests, or he himself
theirs, then their delight to hear kindled a pride ^n his
broast to relate. He knew that he would not by them
be called a boaster.

Before quitting the Mountains, Kit Carson married
an Indian girl, to whom he was most devotedly at-
tached. By this wife he had one child, a daughter.
Soon after the birth of this child, his wife died. His
daughter he watched over with the greatest solicitude.
When she reached a suitable age, he sent her to St.
Louis for the purpose of giving her the advantages of
a liberal education. Indeed, most of Kit Carson's hard
earnings, gained while he was a hunter on the Arkan-
sas, were devoted to the advancement of his child. On
arriving at maturity she married, and with her hus-
band settled in California.

INDIAN CUSTOMS. 177

The libertine custom of indulging in a plurality of
wives, as adopted by many of the mountaineers, never
received the sanction, in thought, word or action, of
Kit Carson. His moral character may well be held up
as an example to men whose pretensions to virtuous
life are greater. Although he was continually sur-
rounded by licentiousness, he proved true to her who
had first gained his affections. For this honoring of
virtue he is indebted, in a measure, to the sway which
he held over the western Indian races; While their
chiefs are seldom men of virtuous act or intent, they
are high in their appreciation of, and just in their re-
wards to those whose lives are patterns of honor and
chastity. One of their ancient customs, well authen-
ticated, was to honor the virtuous women of their
tribe with sacred titles, investing them, in their blind
belief, with power to call down the favor, in behalf of
the people, of their Manitou, or Great Spirit. But
every woman who aspired to this honor was required,
upon a certain day in the year, to run the gauntlet of
braves. This was sometimes a terrible scene. All the
warriors of the tribe, arrayed in their fiercest war cos-
tume and armed at every point with lance, bow and
arrow, knife, tomahawk, etc., were drawn up under
command of the principal chief, in single line. At the
head of this line was placed a kind of chaplet, or crown,
the possession of which by any woman was supposed
to confer the power of necromancy or magic, rendering
her able to heal diseases and to foretell events. The
line having been formed, all of the young maidens of
the tribe were drawn up in a body at the further ex-
tremity, and any of them who aspired to the possession
of the chaplet, was at liberty, having first uncovered

178 HORRIBLE BUTCHERY OF YOUNG GIELS.

her back and breast as far as her waist, to march before
the line of warriors, within ten paces of. their front,
and, if she lived to reach it, take possession of the
crown. On the other hand, it was the duty of any
warrior, who knew aught by word or deed against the
virtue of the advancing maiden, to kill her upon the
spot. If one arrow was shot at her, the whole band
instantly poured a flight of arrows into her bare and
defenceless bosom until life was extinct. Again, it
was the belief of the untutored savage that whatever
warrior failed to make his knowledge apparent, if he
possessed any, by sending his arrow at the aspirant,
would always be an object of revenge by the Great
Spirit, both here and hereafter ; and, that he would al-
ways live in the hereafter, in sight of the Happy Hunt-
ing Grounds, but never be allowed to enter them.
This latter belief made it a rare thing for young girls
to brave the attempt ; but, sometimes, the candidates
were numerous, and the horrible butchery of the
young girls which took place formed a terrible expose
of their lewdness. To kill an innocent girl was equally
a matter which would be forever avenged by the Great
Spirit.

The warm friendship which sprang up between Kit
Carson and the proprietors of Bent's Fort, under whom
he held his situation as Hunter, is a sufficient index of
the gentlemanly conduct and amiability of heart evinced
towards him on their part. The names of Bent and St.
Vrain were known and respected far and near in the
mountains, for, in generosity, hospitality, and native
worth, they were men of perfect model.

Mr. Bent was appointed, by the proper authority, the
first Civil Governor of New Mexico, after that large

GOVERNOR BENT, OF NEW MEXICO. 179

and valuable country was ceded to and came under the
jurisdiction of the United States Government. He held
this distinguished position, however, only a short time,
for, in the -year 1847, he was most foully and treacher-
ously murdered by the Pueblo Indians and Mexicans.
A revolution had broken out among this turbulent
people, and, in his endeavors to stem it, Governor Bent
was frustrated. At last, being driven to his own house,
he barricaded the doors and windows. The rascally
rioters, after a severe contest, succeeded in breaking
open his doors, and, having gained access to their vic-
tim, murdered him in cold blood in the midst of his
family. The only crime imputed by the mob against
this benevolent and just man was, that he was an
American. His untimely death, which was mourned
by all the Americans who knew him, cast a settled
gloom over the community in which he resided. The
Mexicans were afterwards very penitent for the share
they took in the committal of this black crime. Although
several of the guilty party are still living, they have
left the country ; for the mountaineers have not for-
gotten the friend whom they esteemed and respected,
and will avenge his death if ever the opportunity offers.
Cerin St. Vrain, the surviving partner of this cele-
brated trading firm, was equally noted. Upon the
declaration of war between the United States and
Mexico, St. Vrain took an active part on the side of
his country, and, from his extensive knowledge of the
Mexican character, was enabled to render important
services. At the close of the war, he became exten-
sively engaged in mercantile pursuits within the New
Territory, and, by his untiring industry, amassed a large
fortune. He was the first man who discovered and

180 COLONEL ST. VRAIN.

recognized the superior skill of Kit Carson as a hunter ;
and, for his subsequent success in life, Kit Carson was
much indebted to him.

Col. St. Vrain died a few years since at Moro, a New
Mexican town eighteen miles from Fort Union, N. M.,
and in the Rocky Mountains. He died of apoplexy, at
the ripe age of three-score years and ten, beloved far
and near, and looked upon in the light of a father by
all hunters and trappers. He was buried with military
honors by the Eighth U. S. Cavalry. St. Vrain was
one of the greatest pioneers the West ever saw, and
was long the head and front of our great fur com-
panies.

Notwithstanding his rough experience, he was a
polished gentleman in his manners and dealings. The
writer was for years intimate with him, and attended
him in his last sickness, but his modesty would never
allow him to speak of his own life and exploits.

As the reader can now easily compute, sixteen years
had elapsed since Kit Carson commenced his exploits in
the Rocky Mountains. During this long period, as fre-
quently as once every year, he had sat down to a meal
consisting of bread, vegetables, meat, coffee, tea, and
sugar. When dining thus sumptuously, he considered
himself as greatly favored with luxuries of the rarest
grade. Few men can say, with Kit Carson : " During
sixteen years my rifle furnished nearly every particle
of food upon which I lived." Fewer can say, with
equal truth, that " For many consecutive years I never
slept under the roof of a house, or gazed upon the face
of a white woman."

It was after such an experience aswe have endeavored
to paint by the simple tale of his life thus far, that Kit

CARSON" VISITS THE UNITED STATES. 181

Carson longed once more to look upon and mingle with
civilized people. For some time before he determined
to visit the United States, this desire had taken posses-
sion of his mind and had been growing stronger. The
traders of the Fort were accustomed, yearly, to send
into the States a train of wagons, for the purpose of
transporting their goods. The opportunity, therefore,
presented for Kit Carson to gratify his wish. In the
spring of 1842, one of these caravans started, with which
Kit Carson traveled as a supernumerary. When it
arrived within the boundary lines of the State of Mis-
souri, he parted from his compagnons de voyage and
went in quest of his relatives and friends, whom now
he had not seen for over sixteen years. The scenes of
his boyhood days he found to be magically changed.
New faces met him on all sides. The old log-cabin
where his father and mother had resided was deserted,
and its dilapidated walls were crumbling with decay.
The once happy inmates were scattered over the face
of the earth, while many of their voices were hushed in
death. Kit Carson felt himself a stranger in a strange
land — the strong man wept. His soul could not brook
either the change or the ways of the people. While he
failed not to receive kindness and hospitality, to which
his name alone was a sufficient passport among the
noble-hearted Missourians ; nevertheless, he had fully
allayed his curiosity, and, as soon as possible, bid adieu
to these unpleasant recollections. He bent his steps
towards St. Louis. In this city he remained ten days ;
and, as it was the first time since he had reached man-
hood that he had viewed a town of any magnitude, he
was greatly interested. But ten days of sight-seeing
wearied him. He resolved to return to his mountain

182 THE MASTER-MIND THE GIANT INTELLECT.

home, where he could breathe the pure air of heaven,
and where manners and customs conformed to his wild
life and were more congenial to his tastes. He en-
gaged passage upon the first steam-boat Avhich was
bound up the Missouri River.

We cannot resist the impulse which here struggles
for utterance. Look upon that little steam-boat as it
ascends the mighty Missouri, bearing in its bosom the
man wrho was destined to point out the hidden paths of
the mighty West ; to mount and record the height of
the loftiest peak of the American monster mountain
chain ; to unfold the riches of the interior of a great
and glorious empire to its possessors, and, finally, to
conquer with his good sword, preparing the way for its
annexation to his country, the richest soil and fairest
land on earth, thus adding one more glorious star to the
original thirteen of 1776 ; a star, too, of the very first
magnitude, whose refulgent brightness shines clear,
sparkling, and pure for the Truth of Sacred Writ and
American Liberty. On the deck of that little steam-
boat the two men — the one the master-mind, the giant
intellect, the man of research and scholastic strength,
the scientific engineer ; the other, than whom his
superior as an American mountaineer was not living-
stood, uninterested spectators of each other, and each
unconscious why they had been permitted to enter the
same cabin. The Christian student of American his-
tory cannot pass by this simple circumstance without
seeing Heaven's wisdom in such a coincidence —
namely, Kit Carson, for the first time in sixteen years,
bending his steps to his boyhood home, just as his six-
teen years of mountaineer skill and experience were
required by one of the master-workmen of American

' ' ' "
/'

MEETING OF FREMONT AND CARSON. 183

Engineering, about to enter upon the exploration of in-
land North America.

Kit Carson wandered over the boat, studying its
mechanism, admiring the machinery, which, so like a
thing of life, subserved the interests of human life ;
watched with quiet reserve the faces and general ap-
pearance of his fellow-passengers ; occasionally modestly
addressed an acquaintance, for some present were known
to him ; and, finally singled out from among the stran-
gers a man on whose face he thought he discovered the
marks of true courage, manhood and nobility of charac-
ter. The impression which Kit Carson had thus re-
ceived was nothing fleeting. The eagle eye, the fore-
head, the form, the movements, the general features,
the smile, the quiet dignity of the man, each and all
of these attributes of his manhood had been carefully
noted by the wary and hardy mountaineer, and had
not failed to awaken in his breast a feeling of admi-
ration and respect. While on this boat Kit Carson
learned the fact that the man whom he had thus studied
was Lieut. John C. Fremont of the U. S. corps of topo-
graphical engineers ; also, that Lieutenant Fremont had
been earnestly seeking Captain Drips, an experienced
mountaineer, but that he had been disappointed in
finding him. Upon learning this, Kit Carson fell
into a deep reverie which lasted some little time, when,
having brought it to a conclusion, he approached Lieu-
tenant Fremont and modestly introducing himself, said :

" Sir ! I have been some time in the mountains and
think I can guide you to any point there you wish to
reach. "

Lieutenant Fremont's answer indicated his satisfac-
tion in making the acquaintance which Kit Carson had
11

184 FREMONT'S FIRST EXPLORING EXPEDITION.

offered him, and that he would make inquiries concern-
ing his capabilities of performing the duty for. which
he offered himself.

The inquiries which the then lieutenant instituted,
or, at least, may be supposed to have instituted, must
have been favorable ; for, soon afterwards, Kit Carson
was engaged by Colonel Fremont to act as guide to his
first exploring expedition, at a salary of one hundred
dollars per month. Upon arriving in Kansas the party
prepared for a long and dangerous journey which lay
before them. The objects of this expedition were to
survey the South Pass, and take the altitude of the
highest peaks of the Rocky Mountains, besides gather-
ing all the collateral information wrhich they could.
The party had been chiefly collected in St. Louis. It
consisted of twenty-two Creole and Canadian voya-
geurs ; Mr. Charles Preuss, a native of Germany, whose
education -rendered him a master in the art of topo-
graphical sketching, and towards whom Colonel Fre-
mont has always extended high and just encomium ;
Henry Brant, a son of Col. J. H. Brant of St. Louis,
nineteen years of age ; young Randolph Benton, a son
of Colonel Benton, twelve years of age ; Mr. L. Max-
well, a mountaineer engaged as the hunter of the party ;
and finally, Kit Carson, as guide, making, including
the Commander of the Expedition, twenty-eight souls.
On the 10th day of June, 1842, the party commenced
their march. The daily routine usually observed on
the march was as follows:

At daybreak the camp was aroused, the animals led
out and turned loose to graze ; breakfast about six
o'clock, immediately after which the line of march was
resumed ; at noon there was a halt of one or two hours;

LIFE ON THE PRAIRIES. 185

the march was then again resumed and kept up until
within an hour or so of sunset, when the order was
usually given to encamp ; the tents were then pitched,
horses hobbled and turned loose to graze, and the
cooks prepared supper. At night all the animals were
brought in and picketed, carts set for defence and
guard mounted.

The party had only accomplished a few miles of the
march when they fell in with the buffalo. Before we
pursue the narrative of Kit Carson's life we must re-
deem our promise and allow Colonel Fremont to de-
scribe his own impressions in his first Buffalo Hunt, in
which Kit Carson and Mr. L. Maxwell were his com-
panions and guides. Colonel Fremont says :

"A few miles brought us into the midst of the buf-
falo, swarming in immense numbers over the plains,
where they had left scarcely a blade of grass standing.
Mr. Preuss, wrho was sketching at a little distance in
the rear, had at first noted them as large groves of
timber. In the sight of such a mass of life, the trav-
eler feels a strange emotion of grandeur. We had
heard from a distance a dull and confused murmuring,
and, when we came in view of their dark masses, there
was not one among us who did not feel his heart beat
quicker. It was the early part of the day, when the
herds were feeding ; and everywhere they were in mo-
tion. Here and there a huge old bull was rolling in
the grass, and clouds of dust rose in the air from vari-
ous parts of the bands, each the scene of some obstinate
fight. Indians and buffalo make the poetry and life of
the prairie, and our camp was full of their exhilaration.
In place of the quiet monotony of the march, relieved
only by the cracking of the whip, and an 'avance done!

186 KIT CARSON UNHORSED.

enfant de garce ! ' shouts and songs resounded from
every part of the line, and our evening camp was
always the commencement of a feast, which termina-
ted only with our departure on the following morning.
At any time of the night might be seen pieces of the
most delicate and choicest meat, roasting en appolas,
on sticks around the fire, and the guard was never
without company. With pleasant wreather and no
enemy to fear, and abundance of the most excellent
meat, and no scarcity of bread or tobacco, they were
enjoying the oasis of a voyageur's life. Three cows
were killed to-day. Kit Carson had shot one, and was
continuing the chase in the midst of another herd,
when his horse fell headlong, but sprang up and joined
the flying band. Though considerably hurt, he had
the good fortune to break no bones; and Maxwell,
who was mounted on a fleet hunter, captured the run-
away after a hard chase. He was on the point of
shooting him, to avoid the loss of his bridle (a hand-
somely mounted Spanish one), when he found that his
horse was able to come up with him. Animals are
frequently lost in this way ; and it is necessary to keep
close watch over them, in the vicinity of the buffalo, in
the midst of which they scour off to the plains, and are
rarely taken. One of our mules took a sudden freak
into his head, and joined a neighboring band to-day.
As we are not in a condition to lose horses, I sent sev-
eral men in pursuit, and remained in camp, in the hope
of recovering him ; but lost the afternoon to no pur-
pose, as we did not see him again.

" As we were riding quietly along the bank, a grand
herd of buffalo, some seven or eight hundred in num-
ber, came crowding up from the river, where they had

A BUFFALO CHASE. 187

been to drink, and commenced crossing the plain
slowly, eating as they went. The wind was favorable ;
the coolness of the morning invited to exercise ; the
ground was apparently good, and the distance across
the prairie (two or three miles) gave us a fine oppor-
tunity to charge them before they could get among the
river hills. It was too fine. a prospect for a chase to be
lost ; and, halting for a few moments, the hunters were
brought up and saddled, and Kit Carson, Maxwell and
I started together. They were now somewhat less
than half a mile distant, and we rode easily along until
within about three hundred yards, when a sudden agi-
tation, a wavering in the band, and a galloping to and
fro of some which were scattered along the skirts, gave
us the intimation that we were discovered. We started
together at a hand gallop, riding steadily abreast of
each other, and here the interest of the chase became
so engrossingly intense that we were sensible to noth-
ing else. We were now closing upon them rapidly,
and the front of the mass was already in rapid motion
for the hills, and in a few seconds the movement had
communicated itself to the whole herd.

"A crowd of bulls, as usual, brought up the rear,
and every now and then some of them faced about,
and then dashed on after the band a short distance,
and turned and looked again, as if more than half
inclined to stand and fight. In a few moments, how-
ever, during which we had been quickening our pace,
the rout was universal, and we were going over the
ground like a hurricane. When at about thirty yards,
we gave the usual shout (the hunter's battle cry) and
broke into the herd. We entered on the side, the
mass giving way in every direction in their heedless

188 DANGEROUS SPORT.

course. Many of the bulls, less active and less fleet
than the cows, paying no attention to the ground, and
occupied solely with the hunter, were precipitated to
the earth with great force, rolling over and over with
the violence of the shock, and hardly distinguishable
in the dust. We separated on entering, each singling
out his game.

" My horse was a trained hunter, famous in the West
under the name of Provean, and, with his eyes flashing,
and the foam flying from his mouth, sprang on after
the cow like a tiger. In a few moments he brought
me alongside of her, and, rising in the stirrups, I fired
at the distance of a yard, the ball entering at the ter-
mination of the long hair, and passing near the heart.
She fell headlong at the report of the gun, and check-
ing my horse, I looked around for my companions. At
a little distance, Kit was on the ground, engaged in
tying his horse to the horns of a cow which he was
preparing to cut up. Among the scattered bands, at
some distance below, I caught a glimpse of Maxwell;
and while I was looking, a light wreath of white smoke
curled away from his gun, from which I was too far to
hear the report. Nearer, and between me and the hills,
towards which they were directing their course, was the
body of the herd, and giving my horse the rein, we
dashed after them. A thick cloud of dust hung upon
their rear, which filled my mouth and eyes, and nearly
smothered me. In the midst of this I could see noth-
ing, and the buffalo were not distinguishable until
within thirty feet. They crowded together more
densely still as I came upon them, and rushed along in
such a compact body, that I could not obtain an en-
trance— the horse almost leaping upon them. In a few

A PRAIRIE-DOG VILLAGE. 189

moments the mass divided to the right and left, the
horns clattering with a noise heard above everything
else, and my horse darted into the opening. Five or
six bulls charged on us as we dashed along the line,
but were left far behind, and singling out a cow, I gave
her my fire, but struck too high. She gave a tremen-
dous leap, and scoured on swifter than before. I reined
up my horse, and the band swept on like a torrent, and
left the place quiet and clear. Our chase had led us
into dangerous ground. A prairie-dog village, so
thickly settled that there were three or four holes in
every twenty yards square, occupied the whole bottom
for nearly two miles in length. Looking around, I saw
one of the hunters, nearly out of sight, and the long
dark line of our caravan crawling along, three or four
miles distant."

•The trail which the party left behind them after-
wards formed the emigrant road to California via Fort
Laramie, Salt Lake, etc. On reaching Fort Laramie,
Fremont found a fearful state of affairs existing among
the Sioux Indians, through whose country his route
lay. An encounter had recently taken place between
a war-party belonging to the Sioux nation and a party
of trappers and Snake Indians. In the fight the In-
dians had been worsted and several of their braves
killed. To revenge themselves the Sioux chieftains
had collected their warriors ; and, while the nation was
encamped to the number of one thousand lodges, they
had gone forth to seek and punish their enemies.

At Fort Laramie the exploring party met several
trappers and friendly Indians who used their utmost
endeavors to dissuade Colonel Fremont from venturing
into such inevitable danger. There was but one opin-

190 READY AND WILLING TO FACE DANGER.

ion expressed, viz. : that, as sure as he entered upon
the journey, the entire party would be massacred. To
all these admonitions and warnings Colonel Fremont
had but one reply. His government had directed him
to perform a certain duty. The obstacles which stood
in his way, it was his duty to use every means at his
command to surmount; therefore, in -obedience to his
instructions, he was determined to continue his march.
Finally he said that he would accomplish the object or
die in the attempt, being quite sure that if the expedi-
tion failed by being cut to pieces, a terrible retribution
would be in store for the perpetrators of the act. Kit
Carson, his guide, openly avowed that the future looked
dark and gloomy, but he was delighted to hear this
expression from his commander. He now felt that he
had a man after his own heart to depend on, and should
danger or inevitable death be in store for them, he was
ready and willing to face either with him. In order to
be prepared for the worst, Kit Carson felt it his duty,
considering the dangers apprehended, to make his will,
thereby showing that if he had to fight he was ready
to count it his last battle. Colonel Fremont resumed
his journey, and very fortunately arrived at the South
Pass of the Rocky Mountains without, in any way, be-
ing annoyed with Indians, not even meeting any on
the route.

He had now reached the field where his chief labors
were to commence. Without loss of time he set ear-
nestly about his work, making and recording such ob-
servations as he deemed to be essential, and examining
and exploring the country. Having finished this part
of his labors, the ascent of the highest peak of the
mountains was commenced. The length of the journey

CLIMBING MOUNTAINS. 191

had jaded the animals. It was very difficult to procure
game. The men had undergone such severe hardships
that their spirits had become almost worn out. The
daily fare now was dried buffalo meat. This was about
the consistency of a pine stick ; and, in taste, resembled
a piece of dried bark. Besides these rather uncomfort-
able prospects, the expedition stood in constant fear of
an attack by the Indians. It was now in the country
of the Blackfeet ; and, only a short distance from the
encampment, at the foot of the mountain, there was
one of their forts. In the face of all these obstacles,
sufficiently formidable to have deterred most com-
manders, the mountain party was detailed, being four-
teen in number, including Fremont. A man named
Bernier was left in command of the camp which had
been made by felling forest trees in a space about forty
feet in diameter, using the trunks to form a breastwork.
The camp was thus concealed by the trees and their
foliage. It was well calculated for defence, and a few
determined men could have maintained it against
almost any Indian force.

On the 12th day of August the mountain party left
the camp. It was fifteen in number. On the 14th of
August some of the party reached an elevation at
which the barometer stood 19.401. On the 15th some
of the party were sent back. Kit Carson had com-
mand of this party. The remainder consisted of Col-
onel Fremont, Mr. Preuss, Basil Lajeunesse, Clement
Lambert, Janesse and Descoteaux. The day previous
Kit Carson had alone climbed one of the highest peaks
of the main ridge, from which he had a full view of
the highest peak, which rose about eight or ten hun-
dred feet above him. The arduous labors of the 14th

192 A PERILOUS JOURNEY.

August had determined the commander to ascend no
higher. Instead of carrying out this intention, after
Kit Carson with his party had set out, Fremont made
one more effort to climb the highest peak, and suc-
ceeded.

This peak was found, by barometrical observation,
to be thirteen thousand jive hundred and seventy feet
above the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. It bears the
name of the Great Explorer, being called Fremont's
Peak.

The terrible suffering, privation and discouragements
to which this brave band were subjected, would have
disheartened most men, but to Fremont there was no
such word as fail. The attempt to visit Goat Island,
by which he very nearly lost many of the most im-
portant results of the expedition, is but a fair sample
of hardships which they were forced to endure. In
an open linen boat, these hardy adventurers run the
rapids of the La Platte through three successive cata-
racts, and between perpendicular rocks of great hight,
which frequently approached each other so closely
overhead, as to form a kind of tunnel over the stream,
which foamed along at a fearful rate, half choked up
with fallen fragments. At one of these rapids the boat
was overturned, and it required all their strength and
skill to prevent its being staved to pieces on the sharp
rock. It was a fearful passage, and one which will
never be forgotten by those whose fortune it was to
be connected with that expedition.*

The return trip was now commenced, all of the ob-
jects of the expedition having been successfully ac-
complished. The party again reached Fort Laramie in

* See Bigelow's Life of Fremont.

\

A PERILOUS PASSAGE DOWN THE PLATTE.

CARSON'S SECOND MARRIAGE. 195

the month of September, 1842. Kit Carson had served
in the double capacity as a hunter and guide. It is
sufficient to say of the manner in which he performed
his duties, that he won the friendship of John C. Fre-
mont, and ever after occupied a prominent and perma-
nent place in his esteem. At Laramie, Kit Carson's
labors were done. There he bid his commander good-
by, and set out for New Mexico. Fremont returned
to the United States in safety. Thus terminated the
first of his great explorations.

Kit Carson's Indian wife had long since been dead.
In the month of February, 1843, he married a Mexican
lady by the name of Senora Josepha Jarimilla. Of
this lady it is sufficient to say, that for her many vir-
tues and personal beauty she was justly esteemed by
a large circle of friends. By this wife Kit Carson had
three children, to whom he was devotedly attached.

In the following April, Kit Carson was employed as
hunter to accompany Bent and St. Vrain's train of
wagons, while on their journey to the United States.
On arriving at Walnut Creek, which is about two-thirds
of the distance across the Plains from Santa Fe, Kit
and his companions came upon the encampment of
Captain Cook, belonging to the United States Army —
who was in command of four companies of United
States Dragoons. Captain Cook .informed Carson's
party that in his rear was traveling a train of wagons
belonging to General Arrnijo, a wealthy Mexican.

For the purpose of insuring protection to this richly-
freighted caravan while passing through an Indian
country, the Mexican wagon-master in charge had hired
one hundred men. There were rumors, currently re-
ported at that time and believed, that a large body of

196 MEXICANS IN TROUBLE.

Texans were waiting on the road to plunder and mur-
der this wagon party, and thus retaliate the treatment
Armijo had been guilty of in the case of the " famous
Muir Prisoners;" but, in order that this should not hap-
pen in Territory belonging to the United States, the
War Department had ordered Captain Cook and the
dragoons to' guard the property as far as the fording
of the Arkansas River, which was then the boundary
line between the two countries. The Mexicans had
become alarmed for fear they might be attacked on
parting with the United States soldiers; so, on meeting
with Kit Carson, who was well known to them, they
offered three hundred dollars if he would carry a letter
to Armijo, who was then Governor of New Mexico, and
lived at Santa Fe. This letter apprised the General
of the danger to which his men and property were ex-
posed, and asked for assistance to be immediately sent
to them. Carson accepted the offer, and in company
with Owens, another mountaineer, he set out on his
express ride. In the course of a few days he reached
Bent's Fort, where his companion concluded not to go
on with him. At the Fort, Kit Carson was informed
that the Utah Indians, then hostile, were scattered
along his intended route. He was not, however, turned
from his duty by this danger, but he resumed his jour-
ney immediately. At this last-named place his friend,
Mr Bent, kindly furnished him with a fleet and mag-
nificent horse, which he led, so that, should he find
himself in peril, he might mount this fresh animal and
make his escape.

By watching for signs and being continually on the
alert, Kit Carson discovered the Indians and their vil-
lage without exposing his own person to view. He ini-

FEARFUL MASSACRE BY TEXANS. 197

mediately secreted himself in an out-of-the-way-place
and remained until the coming on of darkness ; when
he passed safely by the camp of the savages. In the
course of a few days he reached Taos and handed his
dispatch to the Alcalde of the town to be forwarded to
Santa Fe. As had been previously agreed upon, he
waited here for an answer with which he was to return.
At Taos, Carson was informed that Armijo had already
sent out one hundred Mexican soldiers to seek his cara-
van, and that the General himself, in command of six
hundred more, was soon to follow after. It was after-
wards learned that this unfortunate band of one hun-
dred men went as far as the Arkansas River, but could
not find any traces of the train of wagons, it not hav-
ing completed that much of its journey ; therefore,
they commenced to retrace their steps, but had pro-
ceeded only a few miles, when they were suddenly
attacked by the Texans, who succeeded in massacring
all but one man. This survivor had succeeded in
catching, in the heat of the battle, a fully equipped
Texan horse which was loose. Mounting him he made
off in the direction of Santa Fe ; and, at Cold Springs
came upon the camp of Armijo, to whom he reported
proceedings. The narration of this sad story so damp-
ened the courage of the General and his men as to
cause them to make a precipitous retreat. The spot
where this slaughter took place ha"s since gone by the
name of " battle ground," and many are the bleached
human bones that are still to be found there.

It was during Carson's stay for four days in Taos,
that Armijo and his small army had started out in
quest of the enemy ; but, before his departure, he had
received the letter and directed an answer to be sent,

198 A NOBLE ACT.

thinking, perhaps, that Kit Carson might reach the
train, even if he himself did not On the answer com-
ing into Carson's hands, he selected a Mexican boy to ac-
company him and was quickly on the road again. They
had left Taos two days' journey behind them, and had
reached the River Trinchera (for they were traveling
via the Sangero de Christo Pass and Bent's Fort) when
they unexpectedly met four Indian warriors. Kit Car-
son immediately recognized them as hostile Utahs.
As yet the red men were some distance off; and, while
Kit and his companion stood meditating what was best
to be done, the latter spoke and said to the former :
" I am a boy and perhaps the Indians will spare my
life. At any rate yours is much more valuable than
mine, therefore mount the horse you are leading,
without delay, and make your escape." Carson at
first thought this advice to be good, and was about act-
ing on it, when it struck his equally generous heart,
how cowardly such a course would be — to desert a
youth who had in the hour of peril so manfully borne
himself. Turning to the boy he thanked him and
added that " he could not and would not desert him."
He said " we must stand our ground together, and if
we have to die, let us take with us each his warrior."
While this colloquy was going on, the foremost of the
Indians came up. He approached Carson with the air
of a man sure of an easy victory, and, with a bland
smile, proffered one hand in friendship, while, with the
other, he grasped Kit's rifle. A powerful blow from
the fist of the latter released his hold and instantly
laid him sprawling upon the ground. The other In-
dians, seeing the fate of their companion, hastened to
his rescue. When they reached talking distance, Kit,

ARMIJO'S CARAVAN SAFE. 199

standing with his rifle brought to his shoulder, informed
them that, upon the first hostile demonstration they
made, he and his companion would fire. The Indians
commenced shaking their priming into the pans of
their flint lock guns, and, while doing so, talked loud
and threatened to perform a great many things. This
was a mere ruse to intimidate Kit and his companion
and throw them off their guard. It was, however, well
understood, and operated to make them only the more
vigilant. This endeavor to draw off Kit's attention
was continued in various ways, but, finally seeing the
determined posture of their opponent, they grew weary
of the game, and, at last departed.

The journey was now resumed. After five days of
hard traveling, Kit and his companion entered Bent's
Fort, without further molestation. Here Kit Carson
learned that the Texans had been caught by Captain
Cook and his dragoons in United States Territory, and
had been disarmed. This had immediately relieved
the conductors of the train from all anxiety. They
had, consequently, continued their route, not thinking
a stop at Bent's Fort necessary as had been anticipated.
General Armijo's letter of instruction was, accordingly,
left by Carson with Mr. Bent, who promised to forward
it to Santa Fe by the first favorable opportunity. To
pursue and overtake the wagons would be nothing but
labor thrown away. All danger had disappeared.

200 CARSON VISITS FREMONT'S CAMP.

OHAPTEE VIII.

Kit Carson visits Fremont's Camp — Goes on the Second Exploring Ex-
pedition— The Necessary Arrangements — Trip to Salt Lake — Explo-
rations there — Carson is dispatched to Fort Hall for Supplies — Their
Operations at Salt Lake — The Great Island — The Journey to the
Columbia River in Oregon — Incidents on the Route — Klamath Lake
— The Journey to California — The Trials and Privations met with
while crossing the Sierra Nevada Mountains — Mr. Preuss is lost but
finds the Party again — Arrival at Sutler's Fort in a Destitute Condi-
tion— Two of the Party become deranged — The Route on the Return
Trip — Mexicans come into their Camp asking Aid and Protection —
Indian Depredations — Carson and Godey start on a Daring Adven-
ture— The Pursuit — The Thieves overtaken — These Two White Men
attack Thirty Indians — The Victory — Horses retaken — The Return
to Camp — One of their Companions killed — The Journey continued —
Arrival at Bent's Fort — The " Fourth of July" Dinner.

A FEW days before Kit Carson's arrival at Bent's Fort,
Colonel Fremont had passed by and had informed the
traders there, that he was bound on another Explor-
ing Expedition. Having finished up his business with
the Mexicans, Kit thought he would like to see his
old commander once again. Accordingly, he started
on his trail ; and, after seventy miles of travel, came
up with him. The meeting proved to be mutually
agreeable. Although Kit Carson had made this visit
solely from his desire to again see his old commander,
and not with a view of joining his second expedition,
Colonel Fremont insisted so strongly upon having Kit
accompany him, that he acquiesced in doing so.

ENROLLED FOR SECOND EXPEDITION. 201

For Colonel Fremont, Kit Carson had the greatest
admiration. He knew, as well as any man living, his
bravery, his talents and the many splendid qualities of
his mind and heart. The question will naturally arise, did
Kit Carson endorse the political creed upon which Colo-
nel Fremont accepted the nomination for the Presidency
of the United States ? The best answer, and the one
which is true, will be : Kit Carson considered it one of
the highest honors and greatest blessings to be a citi-
zen of the United States. He was willing to incur any
danger for his country's good, even if the sacrifice of
his life was the alternative. He spent all his life in
the wilds of America, where news was always as scarce
an article, as luxuries of the table and fireside, and
where the political strifes of factions and parties were
not known. The inference will therefore be plainly
apparent, that his curiosity did not lead him to exam-
ine very attentively the minute workings of political
machinery. He was not a man to be swayed by friend-
ship, from performing any act which the interests of his
country seemed to require at his hands.

Soon after Kit Carson was again enrolled under the
command of Colonel Fremont, he received orders to re-
turn to Bent's Fort and purchase some mules of which
the party stood in need. Mules are valuable animals in
new and mountainous countries. They are often the
only beast of burden which can be successfully used in
crossing the wild mountains. Being more sure-footed
and more able to endure great fatigue than the horse,
in such expeditions they become absolutely necessary.
While he was absent on this duty, the expedition jour-
neyed first to Soda Springs, and thence on to St. Train's

Fort, which was located on the South Fork of the Platte.
12

202 ORDERED TO FORT HALL.

At this point the expedition was joined by Major Fitz-
patrick, with a command of forty men which he had
enrolled, under orders, to assist in the exploration.
When Kit Carson had rejoined the party, the arrange-
ments for the arduous task in view were nearly
complete.

Colonel Fremont divided his forces, sending one
division, with most of the camp equipage, on the more
direct route. This division was placed under the com-
mand of Major Fitzpatrick. The other division, under
the command of Colonel Fremont, consisting of a squad
of fifteen men and his guide Kit Carson, struck out up
Thompson's Fork. The object of this expedition had
in view by the government was, to have Colonel Fre-
mont connect his explorations of the preceding year
with the coast surveys of Commander Wilkes on the
Pacific. This would give the data for making a correct
map of the interior of the wild lands of the continent.
From Thompson's Fork Colonel Fremont's division
inarched to the Cache la Poudre River, and thence to
the plains of Laramie until they came to the North
Fork of the Platte. This river they crossed below the
North Park, and bent their way to the sweet water,
reaching it at a point about fifteen miles below the
Devil's Gate. From this point they traveled almost
the same road which is now used bv emigrants and

•/

which leads to Soda Springs on Beaver River. It had
been decided by Fremont to go to the Great Salt Lake
and accomplish its exploration. He therefore started
for that direction; but, before 'doing so, ordered Kit
Carson to proceed to Fort Hall and obtain such sup-
plies as were required. After procuring these necessi-
ties, Kit Carson, with one companion and his pack

EXPLORING SALT LAKE. 203

animals, set out on the return from Fort Hall and
eventually found Fremont on the upper end of Salt
Lake. From here the party journeyed around to the
east side of the lake, a distance of about twenty miles.
At this spot they obtained a good view of the lake
and its adjacent scenery. Before him, and in bold
relief, stood out everything which the explorer desired
to examine, even to one of the several islands which
are located in the midst of this wonderful collection of
saline waters. To this isolated land Fremont was
resolved to go. Among the rest of the forethought
supplies, there was an India-rubber boat. This was
ordered to be made ready for a trip to the island early
the following day.

The next morning, after the India-rubber boat had
been put in order, Colonel Fremont started, taking
Carson and three others as companions. The dis-
tance from the main land to the island is computed
to be about three leagues, hence the pull at the oars,
for landsmen unaccustomed to such kind of work,
was no small task. However a landing upon the
island was safely accomplished, the boat made fast
and the investigations commenced. After examin-
ing most of the island without finding even a spring
of water on it, it was determined to ascend the great
hill which was the highest elevation- on it. The party
were not long in reaching the summit, where they
found a shelving rock, on which they cut a cross, their
names and the date as signs to after visitors, should
any such follow in their footsteps, that they had been
the first persons who had ever, within the knowledge
of man, been on that island.

The day having been far spent in their labors, orders

201 KEACII KLAMATH LAKE.

were given to camp on the island for the night. On
the morrow they departed for the main land. When
they had accomplished about one league, being one-
third of the distance, the clouds suddenly gathered
and threatened a storm. Just as this danger impended,
the air which acted in giving buoyancy to the boat, by
some accident, began to escape. A man was immedi-
ately stationed at the bellows and it required his con-
stant aid to supply the portion which steadily escaped.
Colonel Fremont then ordered the men to pull for
their lives and try thus to escape the danger of the
impending storm. In this instance, as indeed in every
hour of peril, an all-seeing Providence guided them
in safety to the shore. Soon after they arrived, the
storm came on with such force that it caused the water
of the lake, according to the natural water-mark, to rise
ten feet in one hour.

The party soon after recommenced their march and
proceeded some distance up the Bear River. Crossing
it, they went to the Malade and thence on until they
reached Fort Hall. Here they met with the division
under Fitzpatrick and made a short stay.

Once more Colonel Fremont started with his small
party in advance of his main body. He marched about
eight days' journey ahead, Fitzpatrick following up his
trail with the larger division. At this time the expe-
dition was journeying in the direction of the mouth
of the Columbia River. In due time they arrived
safely at the river Dalles. Here they made another
brief halt. Colonel Fremont left Kit Carson in com-
mand of this camp, while he, writh a small party, pro-
ceeded to Vancouver's Island and purchased some pro-
visions. On his return he found that the whole party

ENCOUNTER TERRIBLE SNOW-STORMS. 207

had become consolidated. The command now jour-
neyed to Klamath Lake, in Oregon, a fine sheet of
water, thirty miles long and twelve wide, bordered
by timbered ridges, with an occasional belt of tule.
Excellent bunch-grass, with bushes and small trees,
abound in the vicinity. The descriptions of all these
journeys have already been given to the public in sev-
eral forms, all, however, based upon Colonel Fremont's
reports made to the United States Government. It
would be superfluous, therefore, for us to fill up the
pages of the life of Kit Carson with matter already
published beyond the occurrences appertaining to him.
Having finished the observations upon Klamath Lake,
the expedition started for California. The route led
through a barren and desolate country, rendering game
scarce. As the command drew near to the Sierra Ne-
vada Mountains, they were found to be entirely cov-
ered with deep snow throughout the entire range of
vision. At this time the provisions had commenced
giving out. Game was so scarce that it could not be
depended on. The propositions which presented them-
selves at this crisis were to cross the mountains or take
the fearful chance of starving to death. Crossing the
mountains, terrible though the alternative, was the
choice of all. It was better than inactivity and cer-
tain death. On arriving at the mountains the snow
was found to be about six feet 'deep on a level.
The first task was to manufacture snow-shoes for the
entire party. By the aid of these foot appendages, an
advance party was sent on to explore the route and to
determine how far a path would have to be broken for
the animals. This party reached a spot from whence
they could see their way clear, and found that the path

208 FEARFUL SUFFERING.

for the animals would be three leagues in length. The
advance party also saw, in the distance, the green valley
of the Sacramento and the coast- range of mountains.
Kit Carson was the first man to recognize these, to
the snow-bound travelers desirable localities, although
it was now seventeen years since he had last gazed upon
them. The advance party then returned to their friends
in the rear, and reported their proceedings. All were
delighted on learning that they had one man among
them, who knew where they were. The business of
making the road was very laborious. The snow had
to be beaten compact with mallets. It was fifteen days
before the party succeeded in reaching, with a few of
their animals, a place where the heavy work of the
route was ended. During this time, many of their
mules had starved to death, and the few remaining
were driven to such an extreme by want of food, that
they devoured one another's tails, the leather on the
pack saddles, and, in fact, they would try to eat every-
thing they could get into their mouths. The suffer-
ing of the men had been as severe as had ever fallen
to the lot of any mountaineer present. Their provis-
ions were all used and they were driven to subsist upon
the mules as they died from hunger. But commander
and all bore these terrible trials in an exemplary
manner.

An incident is related by Colonel Fremont in which
Kit Carson enjoyed a cold bath, which occurred during
this terrible inarch : " This was our most difficult day.
We were forced off the ridges by the quantity of snow
among the timber, and obliged to take to the mountain-
sides, where, occasionally, rocks and a southern expos-
ure afforded us a chance to scramble along. But these

FREMONT AND CARSON TAKE AN ICY BATH.

were steep and slippery with snow and ice ; and the
tough evergreens of the mountain impeded our way,
tore our skins and exhausted our patience. Some of
us had the misfortune to wear moccasins with parfleche
soles, so slippery that we could not keep our feet, and
generally crawled across the snow beds. Axes and
mauls were necessary to-day, to make a road through
the snow. Going ahead with Carson to reconnoitre the
road, we reached in the afternoon the river which made
the outlet of the lake. Carson sprang over, clear across
a place where the stream was compressed among the
rocks, but the parfleche sole of my moccasins glanced
from the icy rock and precipitated me into the river.
It was some few seconds before I could recover myself
in the current, and Carson thinking me hurt jumped in
after me, and we both had an icy bath. We tried to
search awhile for my gun, which had been lost in the
fall, but the cold drove us out, and making a large fire
on the bank, after we had partially dried ourselves, wre
went back to meet the camp. We afterwards found
that the gun had been slung under the ice which lined
the banks of the creek."

It was while undergoing such experience as we have
endeavored to narrate that the characters of men show
forth in their true light and can be fully analyzed.
John C. Fremont never was found wanting in times
such as tried men's hearts. He was worthy of the
trust reposed in him. His was no ordinary command.
The men he had to deal with, in their line, had no su-
periors on the American Continent ; yet, he proved a
match for any one of them, and gained from them the
name of being a good mountaineer, an encomium they
are not prone to bestow lightly.

210 SCENE OF THE FIRST GOLD-MINE.

The party now commenced descending the moun-
tains. On reaching the valley beneath, Fremont, tak-
ing Kit Carson and six of the men, pushed on in ad-
vance, in order to reach Sutter's Fort, where he would
be able to purchase provisions. Fitzpatrick was left in
charge of the main party, with orders to make easy
marches. The second day after this division was made,
Mr. Preuss, Fremont's assistant, accidentally got lost.
His friends began making search for him. This failing,
they traveled on slowly, fired guns and used every
means in their power to let their whereabouts be known
to him. After wandering about for four days, to the
surprise and joy of his companions, he came into camp.
During his absence he had subsisted on acorns and
roots, and, as a matter of course, was nearly exhausted,
both in body and mind. Three days after Mr. Preuss
was restored to them, Fremont, with the advance party,
reached Sutter's Fort. He and his party were very
hospitably received. They were entertained with the
best the post could furnish, by its kind-hearted proprie-
tor. Never did men more deserve such treatment. The
condition of all was about as miserable as it could well
be imagined, for men who retained their hold on life.

It was at Sutter's Fort, as most of our readers will
remember, that the great gold-mines of California first
received their kindling spark, the discovery of that
precious metal having been made there. While some
men were digging a mill-race the alluring deposit
first appeared. This event has made the Fort world-
renowned.

At the time we describe Fremont on his second ex-
pedition, nothing whatever was known of the immense
fields of treasure over which he and his men daily

FROM WANT TO LUXURY. 211

walked, although, for many years previous to the dis-
covery being made, the mountaineers had trapped all
the rivers in that vicinity, and on their banks had
herded their animals for months together. They had
drank thousands of times from the pure water as it
flowed in the river's channel, and, no doubt, frequently
their eyes had penetrated through it until they saw
the sand beneath in which, perchance, the sparkling
specks may have occasionally allured them sufficiently
to recall the proverb that " all is not gold that glitters."

The writer once made inquiry of one of these moun-
taineers who had spent two summers in the manner
narrated above near and at Sutter's Fort, some twenty
years since. He was asked whether he ever saw there
anything in the shape of gold which in any way
aroused his suspicions ? His reply was : " Never.
And had I, it would have been only for a brief space
of time, as finally I should have been certain that I
was deluded and mistaken, without there had been the
Eagle of our country stamped upon it."

Provisions were immediately obtained at the Fort
and carried to Fitzpatrick and his party. Great diffi-
culty had now to be encountered to prevent the men
from losing their lives by the sudden change from want
to comparative luxury. Notwithstanding the utmost
care was taken, some of the party lost their reason.
The hardships of the journey had proved too much for
them. Fitzpatrick and the main body arrived at the
Fort in a few days, where they were likewise welcomed
by its hospitable and generous proprietor, Captain Sut-
ter. His name in California has ever been but another
term for kindness and sympathy for the unfortunate.
This expedition, in one respect only, can be called un-

212 TWO OF THE PARTY BECOME DERANGED.

fortunate. When the terrible sufferings of the com-
mander and his men have been named, the catalogue
of misfortune is ended. Its results, grand and glorious,
have immortalized the name of every man who as-
sisted, in any way, to accomplish it. " I belonged to
the several Exploring Expeditions of John C. Fremont"
is the key-note to the respect and homage of the
American nation ; the truth would be equally real, if
we add, to the whole civilized world. Every heart
which beats with admiration for the heroic, or which
is capable of appreciating the rich contributions to the
sciences, direct resultants from their terrible sufferings,
has thrilled with delight when possessed of the history
which records the brilliant achievements of these Ex-
ploring Parties.

The band started from the little town of Kansas on
the twenty-ninth day of May, 1843. It returned to
the United States in August, 1844. After traveling
seventeen hundred miles, it reached, September sixth,
Salt Lake. On the fourth day of November it reached
Fort Vancouver, on the Columbia River. On the
sixth day of March, 1844, it reached Sutter's Fort in
the destitute condition already explained. The dis-
tance from Fort Hall by the route taken is about two
thousand miles. The party remained at Slitter's Fort
until the twenty-fourth day of March, or as Kit Carson
expresses the time from his memory, the expedition
remained at this place about one month. At the expi-
ration of this time, the party was sufficiently recruited
to be ready for their return journey, which they com-
menced in April, 1844. Just previous to their taking
leave of Mr. Sutter, two of the company became
deranged, owing to the privations and fasting to which

RETURNED TO THE UNITED STATES. 213

they had been obliged to submit before being ushered
into a land of plenty. They had indulged appetite too
freely, and brought on one of those strange revolu-
tions in the brain's action which never fails to excite
the pity of friend and foe. The first warning which
the party had that one of the men was laboring under
a disordered intellect occurred in the following man-
ner. Early in the morning the man suddenly started
from his sleep and began to ask his companions where
his riding animal was gone. During this time it was
by him, but he did not know it. Unknown to the rest
of the party he started off soon after in search of his
imaginary animal. As soon as his absence became
known to Fremont, he surmised the truth and sent
persons in all directions to hunt for him. They
searched the neighboring country for many miles and
made inquiries of all the friendly Indians they chanced
upon, but failed to discover him. Several days of
delay was caused by this most unhappy circumstance.
Finally, it becoming necessary for the party to depart
without him, word was left with JVJr. Sutter to continue
the hunt. He did so most faithfully ; and, by his ex-
ertions, some time after the party had set out on the
return trip, the maniac was found and kept at the Fort
until he had entirely recovered. He was then, on the
first opportunity, provided with a passage to the United
States.

On their homeward-bound journey, the party fol-
lowed up the valley of the San Joaquin, crossing over
the Sierra Nevada and coast-range of mountains at a
point where they join and form a beautiful low pass.
They continued on from here close under the coast
range until they struck the Spanish Trail. This they

214 ATTACKED BY HOSTILB SAVAGES.

followed to the Mohave River. That stream, it will be
recollected, was an old friend of Kit Carson's. The
reader will recall the many times he had caught
beaver out of its waters. They followed the trail up
the course of the river to where it leaves it. At this
point an event occurred which somewhat retarded their
progress, relieving the monotony of the route and
somewhat changing their plans.

Soon after the camp had been formed, they were
visited by a Mexican man and boy ; the one named
Andreas Fuentes, the other Pablo Hernandez. They
informed Fremont that they belonged to a party of
Mexican traders wrhich had come from New Mexico.
They said that six of them, including in this number
two women who acted as cooks, had been left by their
friends in charge of a band of horses. The rest of the
party were absent trafficking. The party of six thus
left to watch the horses, consisted of Santiago Giacome,
Andreas Fuentes and wife, and Pablo Hernandez, to-
gether with his father and mother. They were endeav-
oring to find better grazing for their animals. For this
purpose they had penetrated the country as far as they
dared ; and, at about eighty miles from the camp of
Fremont, had resolved to wait for their friends. Fuen-
tes and the boy Pablo were on guard over the animals
when their camp was attacked by hostile savages. The
attacking band was about thirty in number.

Their principal object was to seize the horses. To
effect this the more easily, they saluted the little band
with a flight of arrows as they advanced. Fuentes and
Pablo now heard Giacome warning them to start the
horses and run for it. Both were mounted. They
obeyed the directions of Giacome, and with the en-

CARSON AND GODEY TO THE RESCUE. 215

tire band of horses charged boldly into the midst of
the Indians, regardless of their weapons. The charge
succeeded in breaking their line, through which Fuentes
and Pablo boldly dashed after their animals. The In-
dians deferred the chase to attend to a more bloody
purpose. Having put sixty miles between them and
the site of the attack, they left their horses and started
in search of their main body. This search led them
into Fremont's camp. Fuentes feared that the worst
had overtaken his wife. Pablo already looked upon
himself as an orphan boy. He doubted not that the
bloody savages had murdered both his father and
mother. It was a sad picture to witness their grief.
But Kit Carson could not do so unmoved. The heart
of such grief has ever awakened his earnest sympathy.
His sympathy, too, has never been of a wordy nature.
He volunteered to go with Fuentes and make an at-
tempt to deliver the captives, if such they should
prove, or to avenge their death, if that became the sad
alternative.

Fuentes had left the horses at a spring of water, well
known to Carson. There he had found signs of white
men which had led him into Fremont's camp. There
was no difficulty for Carson to find the spring. The
whole company therefore traveled to the spring, which
they reached early the next morning, distant about
thirty miles from their last camp. The horses were
not to be seen. A short examination of signs soon re-
vealed to Carson and Godey that the two Mexicans had
been followed by the Indians, and that they had come
upon the horses shortly after they had left them. Of
course therefore they had captured and driven them off.

Carson and Godey were determined to make one

216 A DON QUIXOTIC ADVENTURE.

effort to punish the rascals. They started, taking Fu-
entes with them, upon the trail of the Indians. The
chase was a severe one, as, in the judgment of the
mountaineers, the Indians would not make a short trail
after acquiring so much booty. The horse which Fu-
entes rode, most unfortunately, gave out after a short
ride. There was no time to be lost and no means at
hand to supply this important deficiency. To turn
back to camp would supply it, but that course would
also lose them their game. Fuentes, therefore, was re-
quested to return to Fremont's camp, and there await
the return of Kit Carson and Godey. These two had
been the only men in the entire command who had
volunteered in this chase. The loss of Fuentes, there-
fore, made their task literally a Don Quixotic adventure.
Two men against thirty. But Kit Carson was not the
man to turn his back upon an adventure as soon as the
difficulties began to present themselves. He well knew
that he had one man on whom he could rely. Richard
Godey was his tried and trusty friend, his kindred spirit
and a noble hearted man. Leaving the. Mexican to
find his way back to camp, a distance of about twenty
miles, they gave him their word that they would finish
the business. The following night was very dark, and
in order to keep on the right scent Carson and Godey
were obliged to lead their horses, and frequently to fol-
low the trail by the sense of feeling. It was seldom,
however, that they lost the path, and never for more
than a few moments at a time. Gradually the signs
grew fresher as they advanced, which gave them the
assurance that they were rapidly gaining on the pur-
suit. Finally, they concluded that only a few hours
separated them from the savages. Having accomplished

AMONG THE THIEVING RED -SKINS. 217

a considerable part of their journey during the night,
and finding that both themselves and their horses re-
quired rest, they concluded to halt. Having unsaddled
their animals and turned them out to graze, they
wrapped themselves up in their wet blankets and laid
down to sleep. The weather, however, was too cold to
permit sleeping in comfort without a fire. That they
dare not make, fearing it would prove a warning signal
to the savages. Having worried through the remainder
of this cold and cheerless night, they arose early in the
morning and went to the bottom of a deep ravine,
where they kindled a small fire and succeeded in warm-
ing themselves. At day-break they re-saddled their
jaded horses and once more started upon the trail.
Just as the sun was rising they discovered the Indians.
When first seen, they were encamped two miles in
advance, and were enjoying a breakfast on horse-steaks,
having already killed five of the stolen animals. Kit
Carson and his friend dismounted, and, concealing their
horses near by, held a council of war. They decided
to crawl in among the herd of stolen animals which
were grazing, without guard, at a short distance from
the camp of the savages. Upon reaching the horses,
they agreed to be guided by circumstances. First
divesting themselves of all useless apparel, they com-
menced their task. After much cautious labor they
gained their point and stood among the animals. As
soon, however, as they arrived, one of the young horses
of the band became frightened at the grotesque figures
cut by the two creeping men, and exhibited his fear by
snorting and kicking up his heels. This alarmed the
remainder of the horses and caused quite a commotion
among them, which had the effect to alarm the savages,

218 SCALPING TIIE INDIANS.

who sprang for their arms. With a yell, Carson and
Godey instantly turned towards the savages. As soon
as they were all fairly in view, the two white men saw
that they had thirty warriors before them to deal with.
When they had advanced within rifle range, Kit Car-
son halted, and, aiming his rifle at the stoutest looking
brave, fired. The fierce savage fell with a cry of
anguish. Godey had also halted and fired, but he
missed his aim. Instantly reloading, he made the
second attempt, and this time brought down a warrior.
While these events were taking place, the red men
were running about in great confusion. Occasionally
they returned a few arrows, but they all proved but
harmless missiles. The fact was, the Indians were
puzzled what to think of the audacity of the two men.
Evidently they considered them to be an advance party
of some strong force, acting with a view of decoying
them into a close fight. Acting upon this, they began
to fly in every direction except that from which danger
impended. Kit and Godey, as they had calculated,
were thus, quite unceremoniously, left masters of the
enemy's camp. Besides the recaptured horses, .they
had two trophies lying upon the ground in the shape
of a brace of stalwart warriors. In order to show their
companions on their return that they were not given
to boasting, they followed the example and practice of
the savages, and scalped the two Indians. The com-
mon expression now in use is, that they proceeded to
" take the hair" of their victims. The performance of
this act was a matter of choice, and fell to the lot of
Godey, while Kit Carson, with the two rifles, ascended
an eminence near at hand, for the double purpose of
standing guard over his companion and also to recon-

TERRIBLE TORTURING. 219

noitre. Godey commenced his operations on the savage
which he himself had shot. Having finished with him,
he started for the other Indian hit by Kit Carson. But
this fellow, after he had fallen, had crawled quite out
of view among some rocks. Being only wounded, he
raised up and sent an arrow at Godey as he approached,
which pierced his shirt-collar. The Indian had already
lost a large amount of blood. His last act so exhausted
him that he sank back upon the ground and expired.
They next proceeded to collect the horses. Upon
counting them, they found the number, stated by the
Mexican to be correct, with the exception of five killed
by the Indians for their feast. The animals were now
driven to the spot where their own horses had been left.
Here they held another council, and determined to
seek out the fate of the remainder of the Mexican
party. They therefore bent their steps towards the
late camp of the Mexicans. There they found the
bodies of the two men terribly mangled. The savage
ferocity of the rascally savages had here had full play
as soon as they found that the two who were on guard
had broken through their line and escaped with the
horses. Their bodies were naked and full of arrows.
The women were not to be found. The remains were
decently interred by Carson and Godey, and then they
set about looking for the women. After a long search
they could discover nothing of them, and concluded
that they had been reserved for a worse fate. The re-
mains of these two poor captives were afterwards found
by some of Fremont's men. The Indians, not satisfied
with killing them, had staked their naked bodies to the
ground. Kit Carson and Godey having now accom-
plished, on this errand of mercy, all that lay in the

13

220 FREMONT'S ACCOUNT OF THE AFFAIR.

power of man to do, set out to return and soon rejoined
their friends, whom the.y found anxiously waiting for
them. Colonel Fremont concludes his account of this
affair in the following words :

" Their object accomplished, our men gathered up
all the surviving horses, fifteen in number, returned
upon their trail, and rejoined us at our camp in the
afternoon of the same day. They had rode about one
hundred miles in the pursuit and return, and all in
thirty hours. The time, place, object, and numbers
considered, this expedition of Carson and Godey may
be considered among the boldest and most disinterested
which the annals of western adventure, so full of dar-
ing deeds, can present. Two men, in a savage desert,
pursue day and night an unknown body of Indians
into the defiles of an unknown mountain — attack them
on sight, without counting numbers — and defeat them
in an instant — and for what ? To punish the robbers
of the desert, and to avenge the wrongs of Mexicans
whom they did not know. I repeat : it was Carson
and Godey who did this — the former an American,
born in Kentucky ; the latter a Frenchman by descent,
born in St. Louis ; and both trained to western enter-
prise from early life."

The stolen property was restored to the Mexicans
without one cent being demanded or received by either
Carson or Godey.

It was not for the love of Indian fighting, as many
may suppose, that Kit Carson was moved to take part
in such expeditions ; but, when the life of a fellow-
creature was exposed to Indian barbarities, no living
man was more willing, or more capable of rendering a
lasting service than Christopher Carson. A name that,

POOLS OF COAGULATED BLOOD. 221

wherever it was known, was ranked among the "bravest
of the brave."

Soon after the two volunteers came in, Fremont
resumed his journey and continued it without anything
transpiring to disturb the equanimity of the party until
they reached a point on the Virgin River where the
Spanish trail leaves it. It became necessary to change
camps here, in order that the animals might take ad-
vantage of better grass. As the party were enjoying
a day's rest, one of the men, a Canadian by birth,
missed his riding mule from the herd. Without in-
forming any of his friends of his intentions, he started
out in quest of the animal. His absence, at first, was
not noticed ; but, soon, inquiries were made for him,
and when an unusual length of time had passed with-
out his return, Fremont became anxious for his safety.
He directed Kit Carson to take three men and go in
search of him. On arriving at their last ' camp, Kit
found a spot where, undoubtedly, the man had fallen
from his horse wounded, as, about the place, there were
pools of coagulated blood. It was now believed that
their companion was dead. Kit immediately ordered the
party to search for his body, but they could not find it.
They then followed the trail of the Canadian's horse,
which it was very evident he had caught and mounted
before being shot. It led to where the animal had
crossed the river. There, all signs disappeared. After
a faithful search for the trail, Kit returned to camp,
and informed his commander of the result of his day's
work. The next morning^the search was renewed by
all of the company. They discovered Indian signs,
yet could not trace them to where the body was.
After looking in every conceivable hiding-place in the

222 A. FOURTH OF JULY DINNER.

neighborhood of the signs, they gave np the hunt.
Kit Carson was much affected by the loss of this man.
He had been his friend. They had been associated
in many trapping expeditions, and knew each other
most intimately. He felt assured that, if the Cana-
dian had not been surprised by an enemy in ambus-
cade, he would have killed one or two Indians before
he himself fell ; for, besides being a very brave man,
he was well versed in Indian mode of warfare, c.nd was
considered a fine marksman.

The party now proceeded on their journey, returning
to and keeping on the Spanish Trail, which was not
left until they reached the " Vega of Santa Clara."
There they struck out across the country to the Utah
lake, which, after crossing, they left, and went to the
Wintry River, and thence to Green River, .Brown's
Hole, Little Snake River, and so on to the mouth of
St. Vrain's Fork. It was here that they traversed the
mountains and came upon Laramie River, below the
North Park. They journeyed through this into the
Middle Park, and thence traveled to the head waters of
the south fork of the Platte. On quitting it, they bent
their way to the Arkansas River, coming on to it at a
point just below the place where it leaves the Rocky
Mountains, and, by keeping on down it, they arrived
at Bent's Fort on the 2d of July, 1844. On the follow-
ing fourth of July, Mr. Bent gave a dinner in com-
memoration of the occasion to Fremont and his party.
Although hundreds of miles separated from their
countrymen, yet they sat down to as sumptuous a re-
past as could be furnished in many towns of the States.

The exploring party considered their labors finished
at this post, as, in accordance with the tastes of many

THE DIGGER INDIAN. 223

of the party, they were near enough to civilization -
The command was dissolved, and Colonel Fremont pro-
ceeded on his route to Washington. Kit Carson, abouf.
the same time, started for Taos, where he had beei.
a long time anxiously expected by his family an-'
friends.

During this expedition, they had met, for the :•••••'
time, that most abject of human beings, the " I>u:
The Digger Indians, inhabiting the Great Basri. ;. • •
the very lowest form of humanity. Dispersed in
families, without fire-arms, eating seeds and ins <:•<•*:
digging roots (and hence their name), such i,s tV c u
dition of the greater part. It seems incredible that a
desert so devoid of all nourishment, could hovo native
inhabitants. Yet such is the fact. Whei few

edible roots that grow in low grounds or mar places
fail them, they subsist by hunting crickets, ••• >pers,"
and field mice.

Nothing can be more abject than the appv. nre of
the Digger Indian in the fall, as he roams ab» it with-
out food, almost naked, and without weapons, .save,
perhaps, a bow and arrows, with his eyes fixed upon
the ground, looking for crickets, with which to appease
his ever present appetite. So despicable is- he that he
has neither friends or enemies, and the neighboring
tribes do not condescend to notice his existence, unless
he should happen to come in their way, when they
would not consider it more than a playful diversion to
put an end to his miserable life. It is to be hoped that,
with the rapid advance of civilization, this degraded
race may be brought into a happier state.

Colonel Fremont, in his beautiful and instructive
description of the country through which this expe-

224 THE GRASSES OF THE PRAIRIES.

dition passed, refers to the grass on which the buffalo
"delight to feed." It is eminently proper that we
should add a few words for general information con-
cerning the grasses of the prairies, as also concerning
the timber, flowers, game face of the country, etc.,
etc., in which the whole life of Kit Carson has been
spent.

On the west side of the Arkansas River, and between
that stream and the Rocky Mountains, there are three
distinct species of grass found. The first is the short,
curly variety, on which the buffalo are said to feed,
from which fact it takes its name. The second kind is
the Grama grass, which is, I believe, indigenous to only
this section of America. Its stalk grows to the height
of about one foot. Near its top, it gives off, at right
angles, another stem, which is usually from one and a
half to three inches in length. From this last-men-
tioned stem, hang clusters of seed which are well pro-
tected by a suitable covering. It is said, and my own
observation confirms the fact, that horses will leave
grain, such as corn and oats, to feed on this grass ; and
its wonderful nutritious properties cannot be denied.
Wild oats are often seen in the mountain valleys.
Along the low, swampy lands which skirt the rivers
of the plains, there is yet another species of grass
which grows oftentimes several feet high, and has
a broad blade, similar almost to that of the flag
plant. On approaching the mountains the blue-grass
is found, which is nearly the same as that usually met
with in many of our western States. The bunch grass,
as spoken of by Fremont, is the short, curly grass on
which the buffalo "delights to feed," and which is still
good when dry and apparently dead. It is not con-

FLOWERS, TIMBER, GAME, ETC. 225

fined to the mountains in New Mexico, but is sorao-
times met with in the valleys, where it grows t> an
immense height. In the low lands it is useless, '>rii>~
too tough for animals to masticate. Strangers, wl.>r>vi
journeying in these parts, often jnake the mistake
selecting camps in this tall grass, being deceived !
its thrifty appearance ; but one night thus spe:it \
clearly prove its utter worthlessness.

On the plains there are but few wild flower- : bin,
as the traveler approaches the mountains, they grout
his eyes in extensive beds and of variegated colors.
This wealth and variety of flowers is more magnificent
and attractive than anything cultivated. The colors
are more deep and delicate than any found in our <j;;ir-
dens, and though snow and frost may stiffen their blos-
soms every morning, the dry air preserves them, and
they grow and flower until the September and October
winter fairly freezes them out. As a grazing country
the Rocky Mountains and their immediate vicinity can-
not be surpassed. The timber found there is poor in
quality. It comprises pine, cedar, and cotton-wood,
with here and there patches of small and crooked oak
bushes. The rivers in the mountains are formed from
melting snows, and springs. They come tumbling
down through rough gorges and rocky canons, until
they are free in the valleys, where they form bold and
beautiful rivers. The brook trout are the fish which
mostly inhabit them, and, a singular fact, in many of
these streams this kind of fish treat the presence of a
man with perfect indifference, which has led me to
believe that, in their primitive state, the " shy trout "
fear neither man nor beast. The Indians catch them,
and it may be that this fish is first frightened by them.

226 GREAT MINERAL WEALTH.

In the Rocky Mountains, south of the head waters of
the Arkansas, comparatively speaking, there are but
few small birds and squirrels. The raven, the crow,
the hawk, the owl, and occasionally the eagle, are seen.
Wild geese, ducks, and cranes, are common. Pigeons,
including the wild dove, are not often seen. The mag-
pie is found in abundance. Turkeys and grouse are
also in abundance. Wild rabbits and a species of hare
are ab-o common. Indeed a man can travel for days
in tin-; Rocky Mountains and never hear the musical
notes 01' a bird. In these mountains rattlesnakes are
only Jbund in the valleys, where it is warm. In the
summer, the deer and elk live in the mountains; but
when cold weather sets in they are driven out of them
by the deep snows. The antelope of the plains seek
the mountain valleys during the winter. The buffalo
migrate south as the season becomes too severe for
th<;m. Sometimes they are caught by the storms, and
are obliged to winter also in the mountain valleys. The
pine trees of the Rocky Mountains bear a small nut,
which is called by the Mexicans pinon, which, when
cooked, are quite pleasant to the taste. There are
many small salt lakes in the mountains, and many
marshes, where the ground is covered white by the
salt deposit. The mineral wealth of the Rocky Moun-
tains is very great, and there is no doubt but some
day rich veins of gold, silver, and iron ore will be dis-
covered there. The geological formation of the coun-
try is such as to warrant this belief. Nearly every
stream carries down in its floods that precious metal,
gold, but, in such small quantities, as not to attract
the attention of miners. I have found there, on the
surface of the earth, small pieces of material resem-

EOT SPHINGS. 227

bling stone coal, which have probably been thrown up
by some volcanic action. Hot and mineral springs are
not unfrequently met with. They are places of fre-
quent resort by the Indians, who use them for medi-
cinal purposes.

228 KIT UARSOX BECOMES A FAEMER.

OHAPTEE IX.

Kit Carsou concludes to become a Farmer — He is joined in the Enter-
prise by a Friend — They build a Rancjje on the Cimeron River — De-
scriptions of Mexican Customs and Country — Fremont once more at
Bent's Fort — Express sent for Kit Carson to join the Expedition as
Guide — The Ranche sold, and the Departure — The Third Expedition
and its Explorations — Difficulties with the Mexican-Californians —
General Castro's Orders to leave the Country — Determination to
Fight — Fremont goes to Lawson's Fort — Fremont and his Men en-
counter a Thousand Indians — The Battle and the Victory — The news
that War had been declared between the United States and Mexico
reaches Fremont — Lieutenant Gillespie rescued from the Indians —
Three of the party killed in the Night by Indians — The Savages re-
pulsed— The Burial of Comrades.

IN the early spring of 1845, Kit Carson, after weigh-
ing the various occupations which presented, decided
to become a farmer. One of his mountaineer friends,
Mr. Richard Owens, came to the same conclusion.
Together they talked over their plans, and concluded
that it would be to them, at least, newness of life to
be domiciled in their own houses. The two hunters
carefully marked out their plans, and then set to work
with a will for success to carry them into execution.
A very short time enabled them to choose a farming
site, because their knowledge of the country enabled
them to see all of its desirable localities, as it were, at
a glance. They decided to purchase a tract of wild
land situated on the little Cimeron River, and improve
it. Their arrangements were soon made, tools and

ACTIVE OPERATIONS. U29

implements, stock and animals, provisions and necessa-
ries all procured. With the services of some laborers
hired by them, they were soon engaged actively pre-
paring their land for the reception of seed. The spot
which they selected was forty-five miles east of Taos.
They commenced the enterprise by building some
small huts. These afforded both themselves and their
Mexican laborers a comfortable lodgment. They sowed
a considerable quantity of grain, and prepared timber
almost sufficient to build good substantial houses.
Their vigorously prosecuted labors began to show evi-
dent results, and in the prospect, it was clearly appar-
ent that another year would serve to give them profita-
ble reward for their enterprise.

It seems appropriate at this point, that we should
enable the reader to look upon and judge of the farm-
ing country and habits of New Mexico ; their markets,
and some of the manners and customs of the people
who dwell in cities. The town of Taos affords a fair
sample of the markets, and as Kit Carson has many
times been exhibited to the reader at that place, it is
very proper that we should describe it.

The town of Taos is located in a valley called by the
same name. The town consists of a series of villages,
which are scattered, and are known to the Mexicans by
various names. The main village is called Fernandez de
Taos, and is located near the center of the valley on a
high plateau of ground. The buildings here, as, indeed,
in all the towns of New Mexico, are constructed of
adobes, and are one story high, with what is usually
known as flat roofs. These houses are huddled together
without much regard being paid to streets. The main
attraction of the town is the plaza, where all the busi-

230 TAGS, NEW MEXICO.

ness, such as marketing, etc., is carried on. It is here
that the stores are located ; and, on a fete day, or in
business hours, it is thronged with Mexicans, Ameri-
cans, and Indians. Among these there is a large per-
centage of idlers. The houses are mostly covered with
a white material, which is either chalk or lime. The
church is the largest building in the town, and is a
rough specimen of architecture, which is rudely fin-
ished within. It has a flat sounding bell, propped up in
a sort of a belfry. To make a noise on this, a piece of
iron or several stones are used ; and, when an attempt
at chiming is made, it is very laughable. The figures
representing saints, and even the altar, are a strange
compound of imitation. On the respective days set
apart by the Catholic Church for worship, marriages
and fete services are carried on with a great attempt
at pomp, but, under the circumstances, they leave no
lasting impression of grandeur, save on the inhabitants
who have beheld nothing beyond their own dbuntry.
The dignitary most respected in these towns is the
Padre (or Priest), who is looked upon as sacred ; and,
when so inclined, this class of men have the power of
accomplishing much good, but oftentimes they pervert
this power, setting bad examples in their mode of life,
and offering wicked counsel. However, under the
management of the present bishop, who is a very ex-
emplary man, these things are being changed. The old
Priests of New Mexico were formerly educated in Old
Mexico. Their information was very imperfect, and
their minds were contracted down to extreme narrow-
ness, from want of observation ; hence, they were the
means of retarding the natural progress of the people.
It cannot be denied but that the Catholic religion has

STREET SCENE IN TAO8.

MANNERS AND CUSTOMS. 231

been the pioneer system in the far "West, and that,* in
the hands of good and pure men, it has done much
praiseworthy work, and has set an example which
other creeds might and ought to follow. The valley
of Taos is bounded on all sides by lofty mountains,
which are but continuations of the Rocky chain. The
boundaries of this valley are very irregular, both in
the course they take and in their altitudes. The val-
ley is about thirty miles wide and some fifteen miles
long. The ground has the appearance, at first sight,
of being a plain ; but, on closer observation, it is found
to contain many ravines, and to bear the appearance
of being undulating. To the west side of it rolls the
Bio Grande, which cuts, for most of the way, through
a deep and impassable (for fording purposes) channel.
In the valley there are but few, if any, trees, which
fact gives the villages a barren look. The mountains
about are covered with timber which is not generally
of the first quality for building purposes. The num-
ber of people included within the limits of this valley
it is difficult to estimate, but about ten thousand would
include every living soul. The occupation 'of the peo-
ple is farming. Raising horses, cattle and sheep is car-
ried on to a certain extent; but most of the large herds
of these animals owned in this town are kept at ranches
situated at more distant points, where grass is to be
had in abundance, and those retained about the villages
are only kept for immediate use. The reason for this
is found in the fact that most of this valley is not un-
der cultivation, but is covered with sage bushes. It is
around the skirts of the mountains that the only valu-
able grass is found. The people, as a general thing,
are quite poor, but, as they find a ready market through

232 THE CLIMATE OF NEW MEXICO.

the military posts for their produce, they manage to
realize some money, and thus live quite comfortably,
in contrast with their former destitute condition
under the government of Old Mexico. Some of the
inhabitants might be said to be rich, though but few
of this class own ten thousand dollars' worth of prop-
erty. It is with great labor that the people of Taos
bring their crops to perfection, as it is necessary to irri-
gate the soil, unless the season, which is rarely the fact,
is favorable in furnishing rains to them. There are no
fences to divide one man's possessions from another's ;
but, by common law, they furnish shepherds to guard
their flocks and cattle and keep them from trespassing.
The climate is very severe during the winter season,
but in the summer it is delightful. The health of this
community is wonderfully good. Indeed, the only
severe diseases they have to contend against are
brought on by vices. Excluding small-pox, and the
lesser complaints among young children, no epidemics
are known. The country is so elevated and inland
that the air is dry and salubrious, and the "dew point"
is rarely reached so as to amount to anything. It may
be well to add here, that for the consumptive patient,
in the early stages of the disease, there is no such cli-
mate in the world to visit, as that of New Mexico ; but,
as a matter of course, he must vary his location with
the changes of temperature, being governed by the
seasons. The winter in Taos is too severe for him ;
then, he must go south, towards, or even to El Paso,
where it is congenial to his disease. I prophesy that
some day our internal continent will be the " Mecca "
for pilgrims with this disease.

The dress of the New Mexican is the same as in Old

MEXICAN WOMEN. 233

Mexico. The peasant wears his sombrero and his ever-
lasting blanket, which serves him as a coat, and a cov-
ering by night. He rarely has but one suit of clothes,
which are put on new and worn until they are of r,o
further use. By amalgamating with the Americans,
they are gradually changing their style of dress. The
buckskin pants, which were characteristically cut and
ornamented, are giving way to the ordinary cloth ones
of his white companion. It is so with the blanket, which
is being shed for the coat ; and, again, this is true with
the moccasin, which is being replaced by the leathern
shoe. The dress of the female has undergone the
same alteration. From almost a state of nudity, they
have been raised to a position from which they look
upon silk and satin with a "connoisseur's eye." When
New Mexico was part and parcel of the domain of Old
Mexico, Taos was the seat of much smuggling from
the United States, and many an apparent pack of grain
drawn into the town has been nothing less than pack-
ages of domestic goods, the duties upon which, when
introduced in the legal way, were enormous; hence
the white men engaged in this business, when success-
ful, met with ample rewards for their labors. The
frontiers were like the olden sea-coasts. The Mexi-
cans kept out scores of custom-house officers to guard
their frontiers, but the shrewd foreigners, many times,
were able to escape them ; at others, they were so
fortunate as to find that a bribe would answer as well.
An old trick was to have a double bottom to a wagon,
and, in the vacant space thus formed, were stowed val-
uable shawls and such light articles as would meet a
sure and remunerative sale. Sometimes the goods
were brought near the frontiers and there bidden in

234 PUEBLO INDIANS.

the ground until a favorable opportunity offered to
steal them into the country. When there was great
danger that these secreted goods would be discovered,
the smugglers would so arrange a keg of powder with
a loaded pistol pointing at it, with strings running to
the shrubbery near by, so as to cause it to explode
and kill the searchers should the bushes about be dis-
turbed. One old smuggler once fixed things in this
manner, but performed his task too well ; for, on going
to remove his property, he came very near blowing
himself up, as the mine was sprung and he was thrown
in the air, but miraculously escaped. Many of the
adventures of these men would be interesting ; but
they are too voluminous to be embodied in our work.
The valley of Taos is well watered by mountain streams
which flow into the Rio Grande. On one of these
creeks and near the mountains, to the east of Fernan-
dez de Taos, is located an Indian Pueblo which is very
interesting to the traveler. Its houses are built one
on top of another until a sort of pyramid is formed.
The people enter their respective domiciles through
the roofs, which form a 'kind of steps. At the foot of
this queer building there is a church ; and around, the
scenery is very picturesque, as the whole is bounded
on one side by a gap in the mountains, while on the
other is the open valley. This band of Indians at first
offered great resistance and fought with much bravery
against the United States ; but now they are counted
among its most faithful allies, and are great in their
admiration of Kit Carson. The farming utensils of
the New Mexicans are rude in the extreme ; but the
agricultural implements of the Anglo-Saxon are slowly
replacing these articles. The old plow, as frequently

A MEXICAN CART

THE PUEBLO OF TAGS.

PRIMITIVE FARMING. 237

«

used at the present time by the New Mexicans, is in-
deed a curiosity, as it probably was invented in the
earliest times. It consists of one piece of timber which
is crooked the proper shape by nature ; the end of this
is sharpened, and on it is fastened a single piece of iron
which has an attempt at a sharp point. The force to
propel this farming implement is attached in the usual
way, with but few modifications. Oxen are always em-
ployed in this labor, and their yoke is fastened after
the Egyptian fashion, to their horns instead of by bows.
In breaking up the hard prairies, this plow had a diffi-
cult task to perform and was often broken ; but, by the
assistance of men employed in clearing obstacles, such
as sage bushes, etc., the task was imperfectly gone
through with. The Mexican axe is another curious
tool, which resembles as much the common pick of our
laborers as it does the axe used by American woods-
men. The sickle is used in harvesting to this day in
these parts, performing the duties of the scythe, the
cradle, etc. The most remarkable sight of all is the
Mexican cart, the noise of which, when moving, can be
heard on a still day at a great distance. The wheels
of this vehicle are at least one foot thick, and con-
sist of pieces of solid wood which are pegged together
and made to approach a circle by the best judgment
of the eye, without the aid of measuring. These
wheels are very heavy, and when rolling they go
by jerks, owing to their want of proportion, etc.
The body of the cart, as are all of its parts, is made
of hard wood, and seems to be constructed for weight
and strength instead of beauty. The whole affair,
when complete, is almost a load by itself; hence, it is

capable of carrying but a small cargo. The grain that
14

238 PRODUCTS OF NEW MEXICO.

Mexicans of New Mexico grow is corn and wheat, and
it is on these crops that they depend for their support.
In converting this grain into flour, they either use the
old water-mill, which is very primitive in its construc-
tion, or else, when these are not near by, they make
use of two stones and grind it by hand. Their com-
mon diet is a sort of thick gruel made of corn meal,
wheat bread, eggs, peas, beans, pumpkins, which lat-
ter article they roast, and then break holes into them
and with a spoon dip out the contents as they are re-
quired ; and, to finish the catalogue, sometimes meat,
game and milk. The fruits found in New Mexico are
not various, and are mostly confined to apples, peaches,
plums and grapes. These latter are truly superior,
and are raised in the greatest abundance in the south
of the Territory, where, also, they manufacture a very
pleasant red wine, which goes by the name of El Paso
wine. We take the manners and customs of the peo-
ple of Taos as a good type to judge of the manners
and customs of the New Mexicans, for the town is sec-
ond only in size, in this territory, to Santa Fe. The
inhabitants of New Mexico, notwithstanding their pov-
erty and neglect, owing to their remote locality, are
perhaps as happy and contented as any community in
the world. They are not over-celebrated for their
chastity or virtue ; and, to the disgrace of the white
man, they have not been assisted by him in these car-
dinal principles ; but, time will work wonders on this
score and teach the immorality of such proceedings.
Their great source of enjoyment consists iri dancing ;
and hence the fandango is always looked for as a time
when dull care will be dispelled. Agrand fandango is the
event of a New Mexican's life. These affairs are gotten

A MEXICAN GARDEN.

THE GRAND FANDANGO. 239

up sometimes for charitable purposes, when the money
gathered in the sale of refreshments is distributed to
the poor ; or .else they are started by individuals to
make a little money out of. In a town the size of
Taos, during the winter season, hardly a night passes
by without a dance. Written invitations in Spanish
are freely circulated about the town in order to entrap
the strangers, while the inhabitants are invited by other
means. The music consists of a high-strung violin and
a species of guitar. This is perambulated about the
town. The players perform light dancing tunes and
accompany the music with their voices, making up the
words as they go along. This music is learned entirely
by ear, and is transmitted from one generation to an-
other through the means of these fandangos. The
vocal music is anything but harmonious to the ear,
but some of the airs, when played on the instruments,
are rather pleasing, and one, on hearing them, finds
himself often humming them afterwards. The powers
of music are nowhere better illustrated than among
these people. Their ready ear quickly catches a new
tune, and it is not uncommon to hear, in a .Mexican
town, a senorita giving vent to a negro melody or a
favorite polka which she has heard some American
sing or whistle. At Santa Fe there are several noted
players on the violin and harp who cannot read a word
of music, yet they can play on their respective instru-
ments with taste and skill.

A New Mexican female in preparing herself for these
balls, is very particular in making, by the aid of cos-
metics, her complexion as light as possible. She first
uses a red berry, which stains her face almost to the
color of brick and renders her excessively ugly ; this

240 "THE DARK-EYED SEJSTORITA."

she leaves on several hours, when it is washed off and
chalk is applied so freely as to render it easily percepti-
ble. In her toilet she is also very particular, as far as
the exterior is concerned, and in the fandango the
stranger's eyes are taken by storm by the gaudy colors
he sees rather than the neatness of the dress. The
fioor of the dancing-room is usually the mother earth,
which is frequently sprinkled with water to keep down
the dust. The men are in their every day habiliments,
with the addition of any clean thing they may chance to
possess ; but, usually they are a motley crowd, a glance
at whom at first leaves the impression that they are far
from being refined. Except when dancing they cling
to their blankets, and at the least pause in the pro-
ceedings, they at once draw forth the materials and
make their cigarettes. Both men and women indulge
in these articles ; and oftentimes when the dance is in
full blast, the air of the room is densely charged with
the smell of the burning pundii, a species of tobacco,
making it anything but agreeable. The women are
seated on benches along the wralls of the building, by
themselves, while the men congregate in knots together.
On the commencement of a figure, the Mexican selects
his partner and notifies her that she is his choice by
making a signal to her with his hand, when she takes
her position in the dance. The eyes and the latent
smile on the face of the " dark-eyed seiiorita " shows
she is enjoying herself. The men exhibit their pleas-
ure in a more boisterous manner ; that is, by occasion-
ally whooping and cracking jokes. Gambling is carried
on under the same roof; and in this both men and
women join as long as their money lasts. Then they
make room for others who are anxious to try their

THE VICES OF NEW MEXICO. 241

fortunes. This vice is truly of a national character,
and so given to it are these people, that they will part
with anything to support their appetite. To their
credit it can be said, that the New Mexican women in-
dulge but sparingly in alcoholic liquor ; but the men
are prone to the intoxicating cup. They often antici-
pate the evil effects of drink, and it is not unfrequent to
see a New Mexican assuming the airs of a drunken man
after two or three mouthfuls of "aqua-diente." The
spirit of the ball is carried on well into the short hours
of night, when all parties depart for their homes. Intoxi-
cation, that curse to all men, is playing havoc with this
innocent amusement of the people, and causing these
scenes to terminate in riot, and often bloodshed, espe-
cially when the jealousy of the white blood is raised at
some imagined insult ; and then, as is always the case,
the two races come in fierce contact. It is hoped that
by the aid of schools and education these things may
be ameliorated, but they cannot be cured. The mis-
chief is too deeply rooted.

We have thus endeavored to give the reader a view
of the people among whom Kit Carson had determined
to become a farmer. But he was not destined to finish
and perfect his plans.

Near the conclusion of the second exploring expedi-
tion, and at the time \vhen Kit Carson took his depart-
ure from the party, Colonel Fremont had received a
promise from him to the effect that he would join any
party of discovery, for the further exploration of the
Rocky Mountains, which he, Colonel Fremont, should
command.

During the active duties of a farmer's life, and just
as Kit Carson had brought his new enterprise into

242 CARSON HAS DISPATCHES FROM FREMONT.

working order, an expressman from Colonel Fremont ar-
rived at his ranche, bearing dispatches to Carson. The
purport of these dispatches was to remind Kit Carson
of his promise, to inform him of the organization of a
third expedition, and to appoint a place where Kit
Carson might find his old commander.

The express found Carson in the midst of so many
cares and anxieties concerning his new project, that it
became a very difficult matter fo* him to keep his word.
But the sacrifice of pecuniary interest was but a slight
consideration with Kit, when weighed in the balance
against his promise. He knew that his promise had
not been either lightly given or received. Colonel Fre-
mont, by it, had the first right to his time and energies,
and had formed his expectations accordingly ; and Kit
lost, therefore, no time in making preparations to satisfy
these expectations by reporting himself at the appointed
place of meeting, ready for the march.

But to effect this was attended with no slight diffi-
culties. Kit Carson had a large sum invested in his
improvements, by way of payments for labor, as well
as purchases of stock, provision, farming tools, utensils,
teams, wagons, seed, and stock in general. The erec-
tion of his house, barns, etc., was under an advance
which reached far towards completion. But with Kit
Carson, his word was worth more than prospective
losses which its fulfillment would entail. In company
with Mr. Owens, he set himself actively at work to effect
a complete sell-out. In four days from the receipt of
Fremont's note, Carson, in company with Mr. Owens,
started to join the party, having sold house and farm
for less than half the sum he had first expended upon
it, and put his family under the protection of his friend,

CHARACTERISTIC PROMPTNESS. 243

Governor Bent, until he should return from a certainly
long and dangerous journey.

Unfortunately, this protection proved insufficient, for,
in the infamous Taos Massacre, which soon ensued,
Carson's brother-in-law was massacred, and Mrs. Carson
only saved her life by flight.

Carson and Owens took the route for Bent's Fort,
and arrived there in the course of a few days. The
meeting between Fremont and Carson was mutually
satisfactory. With his friend, Mr. Owens, he joined
the third expedition of Colonel Fremont, which was the
last one which he undertook by authority of the United
States Government.

A long tramp was before them. The arrangements
preparatory were, therefore, made with corresponding
care and diligence. The route led up the Arkansas
River to the point where that stream leaves the moun-
tains ; thence they made a circuit by the Ballo Salado,
or Soda Springs, coming back again upon the Arkansas,
striking the stream above its great canon. Thence they
journeyed on to the head waters of the river. Here
they left the Arkansas River and took a direct route
for the Piney River, down which latter stream they
traveled to a spot within twenty-five miles of its mouth.
From this place they continued their explorations of
the country to the head of White River. Following
down it, they soon reached the mountains. Crossing
them, they proceeded to Prevost's Fork.

At this spot a desperate fight once occurred between
a party of trappers and a band of hostile Indians. The
trappers were commanded by a man whose name has
ever since been applied to the stream. Prevost,
although he had a strong party and fought a most

244 EXPLORING GREAT SALT LAKE.

desperate battle, nevertheless was outnumbered, out-
generaled and most completely overpowered. The In-
dians succeeded in killing the entire party, including
himself, with but four exceptions. These four escaped
only with the greatest difficulty and prudence. Through
them the particulars of the affair became know^n to the
mountaineers.

Colonel Fremont (we should have mentioned before
this that Fremont had been promoted in the corps of
Topographical Engineers, from the post of Lieutenant to
the rank of Captain by brevet,) now examined the coun-
try as far as the south side of the Great Salt Lake, pass-
ing on his route a smaller body of wrater, which, for many
years, has been known as Little Utah Lake. The com-
mand halted at Great Salt Lake a few days to recruit,
preparatory to undertaking the further exploration of
the lake, together with one of its largest islands, which
would be reached by this southern route. The Indians
met with on the journey informed them that on this
island there was plenty of fresh water, and game in
abundance. On arriving at a suitable place, Colonel
Fremont pitched his tents for the main camp. On the
following morning, taking Kit Carson and a few chosen
men, Colonel Fremont started to explore the island. The
reports of the Indians were proven to be true. In addi-
tion to plenty of fresh water and game, they discov-
ered very good timber growing there. The game,
which proved to be antelope, was so abundant that
they decided to kill from the herds a quantity suffi-
cient for future use. The island was about fifteen
miles in length by about five in breadth. From the
main land to the island they were able to ride their
horses, as the water was not deep. Upon the banks

CROSSING THE DESERT. 245

of the lake they found the salt deposit to vary from
the thickness of a wafer to the depth of twelve inches.

Having made their observations, the small party re-
turned to the main camp. On the following day the
journey was resumed, the route leading around the
south side of the lake, until they reached the last fresh
water to be found in that direction. Before them lay
a wide and unknown desert, over which no white man
had ever passed. Kit Carson had been at this spot
several times in previous years, and had often heard
the oldest trappers speak of the impossibility of cross-
ing it for man or beast. They had always shrunk from
a path apparently endless, which offered appearances
of neither grass nor water. Colonel Fremont had de-
termined to try the formidable desert, and, if possible,
unfold its hidden secrets. His men were equally am-
bitious with himself, and were ready to second his
efforts without fearing the trials or sufferings which
the desert route might exact.

Colonel Fremont arranged all of his plans commensu-
rate with the hardships in expectancy. Early the sub-
sequent morning he dispatched Kit Carson, Maxwell
and two others as an advance party, to break the road
and look for a camping site. With his telescope, he
then ascended a neighboring mountain to watch the
little party of pioneers. In the event that water and
grass should be found, Kit Carson's orders were to
build a fire, the smoke of which would serve as a sig-
nal to Fremont, who would immediately follow up their
trail with the whole command.

For sixty miles Kit Carson with his little party trav-
eled over this level, barren and sandy desert, without
coming to a drop of water or a blade of grass. At the

246 SIXTY MILES WITHOUT A DROP OF WATER.

end of this distance they reached the mountains on the
west side of the lake, and found both in abundance.
The signal of smoke was now made, according to agree-
ment. Even at this long distance Fremont discovered
it, and immediately set his party in motion. Kit Car-
son sent back one of the men to meet the main body,
and guide it across the dreary waste. Before the
party had accomplished more than half the distance to
Kit Carson's advance, night set in, forcing the whole
party to encamp without water, grass or fuel. The
camp became more necessary because the darkness was
so great that they could not follow the trail in a night
march. Early the following day the march was re-
sumed, and a few hours served once more to reunite
the command. They had the misfortune, however, to
lose a few of their animals. The place which Kit Car-
son had selected for the camp Was, to the weary trav-
elers, in every respect, equal to an oasis on the Great
Sahara. There is no one thing which a traveler on
the plains dreads more than being forced to camp with-
out water and grass.

At this resting-place, Colonel Fremont, in order to
accomplish as much as possible, divided his forces into
two commands. One of them he gave into the charge
of Mr. Talbot, his assistant, and appointed for his guide
a mountaineer named Walker. To this party Colonel
Fremont gave instructions to shape their course for
Mary's River, on striking which they were to follow
down the stream to where it is lost in the Great Basin.
Colonel Fremont retained with him fifteen men besitk-s
his guide. The route which he pursued lay in the
country south of Mary's River, forming a large tract
of land, which it was very desirable that he should ex-

AN UNEXPECTED SPECTRE. 247

plore. After finishing this, he was to join Talbot on
the lake which is formed by the widening of the Carson
River. They had been traveling a week, during which
they had seen human beings only on one occasion, and
at the close of a hard day's journey, in which they had
failed to find water, had turned into a mountain, where
some appearances of timber and grass gave promising
indications of a good camp.

They followed up a dry stream bed, until they were
nearly two thousand feet above the plain, and towards
the summit of the mountain, where they found a spring
sufficiently large for the camp wants, with grass abun-
dant, and pine wood and cedar to keep up the night
fires ; for it was November, and the newly-fallen snow
already marked out the higher ridges of the mountains.

They were surprised to see tracks of a naked foot
near the spring, which had been recently cleaned out,
but there were no other indications of human life.
Supper was over, and they were about the fire, when
Carson, who was lying on his back, with his pipe in his
mouth, his hands under his head, and his feet to the
fire, suddenly exclaimed, half rising and pointing to the
other side of the fire — " Good God ! look there ! " In
the blaze of the fire, peering over her skinny, crooked
hand, which shaded her eyes from the glare, so as to
enable her to see the men, was standing an old woman,
apparently eighty years of age, nearly naked, her
grizzly hair hanging down over her face and shoulders.
She had evidently thought it a camp of her people, and,
in the grateful warmth of the fire, had already begun
to talk and gesticulate, when her open mouth was sud-
denly paralyzed and her face blanched with fright, as
she saw the faces of the whites.

248 DESERTED BY HER PEOPLE.

With a natural instinct she turned to escape, but the
men had gathered around her, and she made them com-
prehend that she had been brought there and left by
her people ; that she was very old and could gather no
more seeds, and was no longer good for anything, and
that she was going to die when the snows got deep.

She was greatly alarmed and eager to get away, but,
as the hunters had been successful that day, she was
plentifully supplied with the meat of mountain sheep,
which she ran off with as soon as it was given her. She
had not gone twenty steps before it was remembered
that she had no fire and probably no means of making
one ; and one of the men, seizing a brand, ran after
her, but to no purpose ; she had dodged down into the
brush, and in the darkness could not be found.

The country through wrhich Colonel Fremont traveled
he found to be well furnished with grass, water, and
wood. It is highly picturesque ; but, as its character-
istics are so vividly painted in his reports, it is super-
fluous to add our attempt to the same task. Having
arrived at the lake already mentioned, he there awaited
the arrival of Talbot. It was many days before the
command was again united. They, however, remained
together only one night. Early the following morning
they separated once more. This time, Talbot's instruc-
tions were, to find a certain pass which would bring
him out in the vicinity of the Sierra Nevada Moun-
tains, which he was to cross, and then keep on his
course for the waters of the San Joaquin. Fremont,
with his division, journeyed up the Carson River, and,
after traversing the Sierra Nevada Mountains, he arrived
safe at Sutter's Fort, without meeting with any inci-
dents that were not to be expected on such a trip.

TERRIBLE TRIALS AND SERIOUS LOSSES. 249

Captain Sutter, with his usual urbanity of manner,
kindly received them, and supplied their wants. Of
him, Fremont purchased forty head of cattle and a few
horses, with which he set out to look for Mr. Talbot.
In doing so, he traveled up the valley of the San
Joaquin, and forded that river at about where it is
ushered forth from the mountains. Mr. Talbot was
not to be found in this direction, so the party went to
Kings River, and journeyed up it to its head waters.
It now happened that the cattle belonging to the party
began to grow foot-sore and weary, from travel over
rocky trails and through deep snows. It became evi-
dent that the looked-for men were not in that quarter ;
therefore, Fremont returned to the prairies near by, in
the hopes of saving his cattle ; but, when he arrived
there, he was destitute of these animals, for they had
all given out and died. The party had, previous to this
misfortune, killed some of the best of the oxen, and
prepared the meat to carry along with them, but in no
great quantities, as their riding animals were not
strong enough to bear heavy burdens. The command
had hardly left the mountains and succeeded in reach-
ing the prairies, before they were obliged to submit to
further trials and losses. After going into camp one
night, the men, tired and worn out by much labor, had
lain down to rest. As a guard had been posted they
gave themselves but little concern about danger. Their
sentinels were not on the lookout as sharply as they
might have been. The consequence was, that some
hostile Indians crept within their lines and killed two
mules, which depredation was not discovered until the
next morning.

Fremont had no animals remaining in condition to

250 EATING WILD 11ORSES.

give chase, and therefore had quietly to submit to his
loss. lie now resolved to give up for the time being
his search for Talbot's party, and return to Sutter's
Fort, where he could reorganize. While on their road
to the Fort, the men came suddenly upon a band of
the same Indians who had recently annoyed them.
These fellows seemed to invite an engagement, and
were gratified by Col. Fremont. In the skirmish that
ensued they lost five warriors killed. The rest fled.
The party, after undergoing many hardships, finally
reached their point of destination. During the latter
part of this tramp, game had become so scarce that the
men had to shoot whatever came in their way. This
time it chanced to be wild horses. When they arrived
at the Fort they were on foot, their saddle and pack
animals having all given out and broken down. By
the kind assistance of Mr. Sutter they were furnished
anew. After recruiting a little their own worn-out
bodies, they started on their second trip in quest of
t-ieir companions. They traversed the coast-range
and went to San Jose to see if they could hear any-
thing through the Mexicans and Indians who resided
there, concerning the whereabouts of the missing men;
as perchance, some of the hunters or traders among
these people might in their travels have met or heard
something of them. On making inquiries at San Jose',
they were informed that the party was encamped at a
well-known place on the San Joaquin. This piece of
intelligence immediately decided Fremont to dispatch
Carson and two companions to that section of country,
while he and the remainder of the men would remain
where they were and await his return. Kit Carson
performed his mission with his usual promptness. and

ORDERED TO LEAVE THE COUNTRY. 251

soon returned with his charge, when the expedition
was once more united under one leader. Owing to
the great trials and privations recently met with, and
the inability to procure at Sutter's Fort all that was
wanted in the matter of an outfit, therefore it was de-
termined upon that the party should proceed next to
Monterey, where they knew they could purchase the
articles that were actually required. While en route,
and when within thirty miles of this last-named town,
an impertinent order was received from General Castro,
the Mexican commander of the territory. The purport
of this order was, that Fremont and his party must im-
mediately vacate the country without further notice,
or else the gallant general would be obliged to drive
them out. It was late in the afternoon when the mes-
senger with this document arrived in Fremont's camp,
yet he found time the same day to pack up and fall
back to a place where he could fortify his position, as
he felt confident that this was but an empty excuse
which the Mexican general had invented to prevent
him from penetrating further into the country. The
Americans had hardly got things in proper trim be-
fore the Mexican general, at the head of several
hundred troops, arrived and established his camp and
head-quarters within sight of the former, being deluded
with the belief that he would easily intimidate the ex-
ploring party. The general commenced firing his can-
non and making a great uproar. He had all branches
of the service with him, including artillery, infantry and
cavalry. In the intention of intimidation, however, he
was greatly mistaken, though the difference in num-
bers between the two parties was in itself almost deci-
sive, should they come to a conflict. Yet the Mexicans

252 NOT EASILY INTIMIDATED.

had but poorly estimated the mettle contained in the
American commander and his forty men. They were
ready, one and all, to sell their lives dearly in a cause
good as that before them. Unshaken in their purpose,
the little band of intrepid men remained in their camp
for the period of three days. The Americans who
were then living at Monterey, sent several expressmen
to their countrymen, warning them of their danger, as
they felt that the Mexicans could, without a doubt,
completely annihilate them. Fremont's reply was per-
fectly characteristic of the man ; he said he had done
nothing to raise the wrath of the Mexicans, who were
now treating him disgracefully. He had come to per-
form a duty, and could not leave without executing it.
In fact, neither himself nor his men would submit to
be driven out of the country. At the end of three days,
Fremont saw that there was no prospect of General
Castro's consummating his threat, and, considering that
he had sufficiently shown his willingness to fight if
driven to it, he therefore concluded to strike his camp
and withdraw to the Sacramento River. The party
were not disturbed in their movements, and on reach-
ing this stream, they followed it up until they came to
Peter Lawson's Trading Post, where Fremont intended,
since he could not go to Monterey without being too
rash, to purchase the outfit for the homeward-bound
trip. The party remained at this post some ten days,
during which time some American settlers in the neigh-
borhood came in with the information that one thou-
sand Indian warriors were collecting for the avowed
purpose of destroying their ranches, probably at the
instigation of the Mexicans. The exploring party, and
also five white men from the Post, proffered their ser-

ATTACK ON ONE THOUSAND INDIANS. 255

vices to go to the aid of their countrymen, and shortly
afterwards the whole command under Fremont moved
forward to meet and measure their strength with the
savages. The village of the Indians wras in due time
found, when the whites commenced the fight by mak-
ing an attack on it. The battle was for awhile stoutly
contested ; but finally the red men were completely
routed. The number of the killed it was difficult to
ascertain ; but Carson was of the opinion that this fight
had the tendency of fixing on the minds of this tribe
the truth of their inability to cope with white men, the
convincing evidence of which was that the battle-
ground was strewn with their dead. Having more
than accomplished his chastisement of the Indians,
Fremont with his party returned to Lawson's.

On finishing his purchases at this post, whose occu-
pants had done their utmost to supply his wants and
make his stay agreeable, the explorer once more set his
command in motion en route for the Columbia River.
He traveled up the Sacramento and passed near Mount
Shatta, that snow-capped sentinel of the rich Sacra-
mento Valley, raising its head 14,443 feet above the
level of the sea, and thence on to Klamath Lake, since
made famous by the treachery of a handful of Califor-
nia Indians of the Modoc tribe, of which we shall speak
further on. While encamped on the head of this col-
lection of water, news came to the party that war had
been declared between the United States and Mexico.
This intelligence had been sent to Fremont through
Lieutenant Gillespie, of the United States marines,
who had with him six men as an escort. After travel-
ing three hundred miles over bad trails at a rapid pace,
his animals began to succumb to fatigue. The lieuten-

15

256 WAR WITH MEXICO.

ant saw he would fail to accomplish his ends with the
whole party together, therefore he selected two of his
most reliable men, mounted them on his fleetest horses,
and sent them on ahead to bear the dispatches, while
he himself would jog on slowly. The expressmen
overhauled the exploring party after several days of
hard travel and handed to Fremont the communications.
As soon as he had read his letters, Fremont made in-
quiries in regard to Gillespie, and found that he was in
rather a precarious position ; for, should the Klamath
Indians take the notion, they would murder him and
his men just by the way of pastime. Fremont at once
determined to return with all haste and succor Gil-
lespie from the imminent peril that surrounded him.
With this purpose in view, he selected ten picked men,
leaving orders for the rest of the party to follow on his
trail, and set out. He had traveled about sixty miles
when he met the officer he was in search of coming on.
The meeting was very gratifying to both, but espe-
cially so to Fremont, who was fully alive to the dangers
through which Gillespie had passed ; for the lieutenant
was not sufficiently aware how black-hearted in their
villainy and treachery this tribe, through whose coun-
try he was passing, were, as he had heretofore never
dealt with them. A camp was selected near by, and
all hands were not long in being snugly seated in it
around a good fire, listening to the important news
fresh from the civilized world.

Fremont sat up until about one o'clock reading his
letters from the United States. Kit Carson and Owens,
wrapped in their saddle-blankets, had picked out their
beds near the fire, as the night was cold. On conclud-
ing the reading of his correspondence, Fremont turned

MASSACRED BY KLAMATH INDIANS. 257

in and was soon sound asleep. All was quiet for
awhile, when Kit Carson heard a noise that awaked
him ; the sound was like the stroke of an axe. Rising
to his feet, he discovered Indians in the camp. While
in the act of reaching for his rifle, he gave the alarm
to his slumbering companions ; but two of them were
already sleeping their last sleep, for the fatal toma-
hawk had been buried in their brains. One of these
victims was the brave Lajeunesse, while the other was
a full-blooded Delaware Indian. As Kit Carson left the
fire, where he was too conspicuous an object, he saw
several warriors approaching towards it. There lay
near to it four other Delawares, who, on hearing the
alarm, sprang to their feet. One of them, by the name
of Crane, seized hold of a rifle, which, unfortunately,
was not his own, and was not loaded. The poor fellow
was not aware of this important fact. He kept trying
to fire it while he stood erect, and manfully received
five arrows, all of which penetrated his left breast, and
either one of which was sufficient to cause his death.
At last he fell. On grasping his gun, Kit Carson re-
membered that the evening before he had discharged
it for the purpose of cleaning it, and while so doing had
accidentally broken its cap-tube, and consequently he
had not reloaded it. As this flashed across his mind, '
he threw the rifle down and drew from his belt a single-
barreled pistol, with which he made at the warrior
who was so safely throwing his arrows into his com-
panion. When sufficiently near, Kit Carson fired, but,
as the fellow kept dodging about, he only succeeded in
cutting the string that held the tomahawk to its red
owner's arm. Maxwell now shot at this same brave
and hit him in the fleshy part of one leg ; and, as he

258 THREE BRAVE MEN" KILLED:

was turning to run, which was the case with most of
the Indians by this time, a bullet from the rifle of a
mountaineer passed through his heart and arrested his
progress. The whites were now fully awakened to
their danger, and about ready to commence the fight,
but the enemy had scattered. If all the savages had
shown the same quickness and coolness as did their
foremost warrior, the probability is that the most, if not
the whole of the party, would have been massacred.
As it was, the attack was well planned but poorly
carried out.

The result of the affair was, that Fremont lost three
brave men, and had one other wounded slightly. It
now became evident that the party had fallen into a
snare which was intended for Lieutenant Gillespie and
his small force, but the coming up of Fremont had
caused the assassins to find they had caught a Tartar.

Fremont and his party apprehended no danger that
night ; consequently, they did not post a guard, and as
the men were very tired they slept very soundly. Be-
fore lying down, several of them had fired off their
rifles, and, after cleaning them, they had neglected to
reload them. This was the first and last time they were
guilty of such a mistake while in an Indian country.

Of the three men killed, the one by the name of
Lajeunesse was the most regretted, for he had been
with Fremont on his previous expeditions, and had
won the admiration and confidence of his commander
and companions. In a small company of men, such as
these expeditions, were composed of, where every
member becomes intimately known and admired by his
companions, the loss of one would be greatly felt ; but,
when three such were thus suddenly taken, it caused

SAVING LIFE BY DEATH. 259

a gloom to be cast over the remainder, not easily to be
dispelled. The only consolation left to the living was,
that they had been instrumental in saving Lieutenant
Gillespie and his four companions ; therefore, in sacri-
ficing their comrades, they had saved more lives than
had been lost.

There were no more thoughts of sleep in this camp
for that eventful night ; but instead, the men selected
positions behind neighboring trees and fallen logs, and
were ready to receive the enemy should they see fit to
visit them again.

The Indians, however, as Kit Carson predicted, had
come to the wise conclusion not to attempt so unsatis-
factory a business as another attack, for the gray light
of the following day came without their re-appearance.
Before the sun had fairly risen, Fremont had broken
up this camp, which had become odious to the men
from its unpleasant associations. With their packs,
and with the bodies of their dead companions, the
party started to find their rear guard. They had pro-
ceeded about ten miles on their journey, when, by
unanimous consent, they resolved to halt and inter the
remains, which they had wished to carry until they
united their forces, so that all could participate in the
funeral rites ; but, the woods through which they were
traveling were very thick, and already the bodies had
become greatly disfigured, on account- of their fre-
quently striking against the trees, as they wrere fas-
tened on the backs of three animals.

Slowly and sadly, in that dense forest, hundreds of
miles from their nearest countrymen, was this funeral
procession formed. A spot was selected on one side of
the main trail, at a distance of about one-half mile,

260 A SAD FUNERAL PROCESSION.

where a rude grave was dug, and, wrapped in their
blankets, in the same common house, were deposited
all that remained of these three brave men. An
observer of these obsequies would have seen the lips
of daring men, now and then, giving spasmodic twitch-
ings ; eyes swimming in tears, and a silence and solem-
nity that bespoke the truest kind of grief. Among that
party, such a one would have been sure to have marked
out the countenance of Kit Carson ; for, engraven on it
were the throes which were troubling his kind heart on
being thus obliged to separate from old friends. Not a
man left that grave but who resolved, secretly and
silently, to make these dastardly Indians suffer for the
lives they had thus wantonly taken. In fact, they felt
it an imperative duty they yet owed to their departed
comrades, who, if they but stood in their places, would
have sworn to be avenged ; hence, the reader must not
judge them harshly if they nourished these feelings.

That very day the two parties met and went into
camp together. Plans were concocted to chastise the
red men soundly. The next day, on quitting this last
resting-place, a squad of fifteen men was left concealed
in the neighborhood, yi order to watch and act against
any Indians who, by chance, might be following them
from one camp to another, in hopes of finding some-
thing. The main command then moved on slowly, and
had advanced but a few miles when they were over-
taken by their friends, who came up with two scalps.
These were the sum total of their morning's work.
The two warriors to whom they had belonged were
caught following the trail as scouts of their main body.
The unerring rifles of the party in ambush had per-
formed their fearful duty.

ROUTE FOR CALIFORNIA. 261

CHAPTER X.

Fremont en route for California — His men are anxious to Punish the Kla~
math Indians — Kit Carson, in command of Ten Men, is sent on ahead
to reconnoitre — He discovers the main Village of these Indians — The
Attack and the Victory — Beautiful Lodges — The Trophies mostly de-
stroyed— Fremont saves Kit Carson's Life — The Journey resumed —
The Sacramento Valley — An Indian Ambuscade — One Savage defies
the Party — Kit Carson shoots him — The Klamath Indians still on the
War Path — Another Lesson given to them — A Thief is shot — Arrival
at Lawson's Trading Post — A period of Inactivity — A Detachment
sent to capture Sonoma — Prisoners taken — The Mexicans come to
punish the Americans — Their Courage deserts them — The Retreat —
The Pursuit — Fremont goes to Sutter's Fort and establishes a Military
Post — Monterey is taken by the American Squadron — Fremont
marches there — Further Operations — The Taking of Los Angelos.

THE news of war having been declared between the
United States and Mexico, determined Fremont to re-
turn to California; and, in doing so, he decided to
enter that country by a new route of his own selection.

He commenced his journey by traveling around Lake
Klamath, and had not proceeded far in that direction
before he found himself encamped on a small stream
which empties into the lake, nearly opposite to the
place where his three men were killed. The distance
of each day's progress had been carefully reckoned and
noted by the party. Upon their minds there was still
resting a sadness, which their leader saw was only to be
effaced by a satisfactory revenge, and that they were
eager to obtain it before quitting the country. Perhaps,

262 FIGHT WITH KLAMATH INDIANS.

also, their commanding officer thought it best, while
the opportunity offered, for the benefit of his country-
men, whom he felt sure would some day possess this
territory, to impress these savages with the power and
bravery of the white men. Whatever was the object
to be gained, it matters not in relating the particulars.
The next morning he sent Kit Carson on ahead, with
ten chosen men, giving him orders to the effect that if
he discovered a large village of Indians, which was the
general surmise, without being himself seen, he was to
send back word, when he (Fremont) would hasten on
with re-inforcements, in order to make the assault. If it
should happen that the Indians were the first to be ap-
prised of his near approach, then, without delay, Carson
was to engage them as he thought best. Acting under
these instructions, Kit Carson, with his detail of men,
set out, and fortunately soon found a fresh trail that
led directly to where the savages had established their
village. This Indian village numbered fifty lodges;
and to each wigwam the mountaineers estimated three
braves, as this is the complement of men who live in
one of these huts on the prairies and in the Rocky
Mountains, thus making the force of the Indians to be
in the neighborhood of one hundred and fifty. From the
commotion noticed in the village it was evident to all
present that the tribe had become aware of danger, and
that there was no time to be lost in sending back the
desired information. Kit Carson, notwithstanding the
strength of his enemies, determined to hazard an attack;
and, after a brief consultation with his companions, he
decided to take advantage of the confusion that was ex-
isting among the red men by charging right in among
them. If ever there is a time when Indians will stand

BEAUTIFUL LODGES. 263

their ground, it is when defending their families; there-
fore, on this occasion, the white men were warmly re-
ceived, but they fought with such a degree of despera-
tion as they themselves had never done before. The
result was, that the savages became panic-stricken, and
soon afterwards fled, leaving everything they possessed
behind them. The victors, after pursuing the Indians
for some distance, and adding a few more to the list of
killed, returned to the village, which they found to be
rich in booty. The lodges here taken Kit Carson de-
scribes as being the most tasty pieces of handiwork that
Indian skill could devise, and surpassed anything of the
kind that he had previously looked upon. They were
made of the broad leaves of the swamp flag, which were
beautifully and intricately woven together. Within the
wigwams the party found a very large amount of fish,
in different stages of preservation for future use. Wish-
ing to do these people as much harm as possible, and
thus be even with them for their recent savage cruel-
ties on their own party, Kit Carson gave the order to
collect everything in the lodges and arrange the arti-
cles in such manner that fire would either destroy
or completely damage them. Having accomplished
this work, the lighted tinder was applied, when the
flames leaped high up in the air, forming a fit funeral
pyre for their slain companions. Fremont saw the re-
flection of the fire, and also the smoke, and at once
knew that Kit Carson was engaged with the Indians ;
consequently, he pushed on at a very rapid pace to
assist him. He arrived too late for what the men
called the sport, but, instead, heard the report of his
lieutenant and guide, Kit Carson, whose words, to use
his (Fremont's) own language, " are synonymous with

264 WATCHING IN THE LAVA-BEDS.

truth." The gloom which had prevailed over the
party, while the men recounted to their friends the
details of the fight, was temporarily dispelled ; and,
while thus engaged, the command moved on about
two miles from the Indian village. Having here
selected a site, they went into camp. After comfort-
ably stowing themselves away in this resting-place,
another " war talk " was called, and what was best to
be done was canvassed over. After the adjournment
of the council, Fremont decided to send back twenty
men, under Richard Owens, to the neighborhood of
the ruins of the village, there to conceal themselves in
the Lava-beds and await the return of the Indians,
who, it was thought, might come back to look after
their dead.

The Lava-beds are located in the country along the
boundaries of Oregon and California, and near the
Klamath River and Lakes. It is cut up by fissures,
abysses, lakes, high mountains and caves, and covers
an area of one hundred square miles. Here and there
are vales bounded by walls more than one thousand
feet high, composed of dark lava-like trap or red scoria,
the interval between which forms a sort of congealed
sea, whose ragged, crested waves, with volcanic ori-
fices, seem to have been frozen in the upheaval, and
never had time to subside. The miniature vents or
chimneys, which had been formed no doubt by the
bursting of steam or gases from below, led to subter-
ranean galleries or caverns, from fifteen to twenty feet
wide and of indefinite length.

Our party had not been secreted a great while be-
fore about fifty savages returned, and, by the moon's
light, were quite visible. As had been previously

FREMONT SATES CARSON'S LIFE. 267

agreed upon, word was sent by a trusty messenger to
Fremont, who, with six companions, Kit Carson being
of the number, hastened on horseback to join his out-
post. For fear of being discovered, Fremont chose a
different route from the one taken by Owens, which
was quite direct, while that of the former was circuit-
ous. On approaching the smouldering remains of the
village, Kit Carson discovered only one Indian wander-
ing about on the ground. As soon almost as he was
seen by the party, they made a dash at him. Kit Carson
was in the advance, and on arriving within about ten
feet of the warrior, he drew up his horse and brought
his rifle to his shoulder to fire, but the gun only snapped,
and left its owner in a very precarious situation, as
the red man had already drawn the string of his
bow to plant an arrow in the body of his adversary. A
moment more, and, in all probability, Kit Carson would
have been breathing his last. Fremont saw the danger
his friend was in, although Kit had tried to avoid the ar-
row by throwing himself on one side of his horse. With
much forethought, as well as personal exposure, he
plunged the rowels of his spurs deep into his riding ani-
mal. The noble horse, obeying the impetus thus given
by his rider, made a few extra strides, until he reached,
knocked down and passed over the Indian, thereby
causing his arrow to fly in a different direction from
the one intended. Before the savage could regain his
feet, a ball from one of the rifles belonging to the party
had sent him to his last resting-place. Fremont now
learned from Owens, that while the messenger was
absent, the rest of the Indians had decamped, and as
he had received orders from him to await his coming in
case he found the enemy, therefore, he was obliged to

268 A BELOVED COMMANDER.

let the rascals quietly depart without firing into them,
which was much to his own and his men's displeasure.

It was now necessary to return without delay to their
own camp, and thus anticipate the movements of the
Indians, as they might conclude to make an attack in
that quarter ; but, on arriving there, they found every-
thing safe ; nor were they, during that night, in any way
disturbed. Kit Carson was very grateful to Fremont for
thus interposing between him and almost certain death ;
for it would have been the work of an instant for the
Indian warrior, at ten feet distance, to have sent an ar-
row into some vital organ. It was such noble gener-
osity, bravery, and disinterested exposure in the hour
of peril, in order to serve his men, that strongly
cemented Fremont to them. Indeed, in all of his ex-
peditions, he had such command over his employees,
that little or no trouble ever occurred among them
while on their marches, although they had privations
and dangers to undergo that would often try men of
the most even temper.

On the day following the one on which his party had
encountered and chastised the Klamath Indians, Fre-
mont started for the Valley of the Sacramento. The
expedition was progressing well, and was four days out
from this last camp ; when, as two of the men whose
names were Maxwell and Archambeau, were out hunt-
ing at a distance of about three miles, on one side of
their friends, they were surprised at seeing one Indian,
on foot, approaching towards them.

The hunters, in order to do away with all suspicion,
at once halted and laid down their arms, to show the
warrior that they were friendly disposed. They
thought it was best to have a " talk " with him, and

LOST HIS SCALP BY INDISCRETION. 269

question him in regard to the country they were then in.
As he showed no symptoms of fear, but kept coming on,
they supposed that he had understood their actions ;
therefore, they paid but little attention to him, until
they saw him stop. Their curiosity was now excited
to know his intentions ; and, as they watched his move-
ments, they saw him take some young crows from his
quiver, and, after untying the string that held them, he
concealed them to his satisfaction in the grass, and
again moved forward ; but, while doing so, he was busy
arranging his weapons for immediate use. The white
men were not astonished at this, for they concluded
that he was only preparing himself against danger.
The Indian slowly advanced to a spot that was within
fifteen yards of the hunters, when he again stopped,
and commenced shooting his arrows at them. At first
they dodged about, and made signs for him to desist,
as they were friends j but, to their admonitions he paid
not the least attention. Several of the missiles had
come near causing them bodily injury. After a time,
forbearance ceased to be a virtue. Raising his rifle,
one of the men fired ; when, to use mountaineer par-
lance, the Indian "went under."

What could have been the foolhardy ideas of this
warrior that compelled him to take such a course as he
did, not one of the party, when they were informed of
the adventure, could conjecture ; but a fact it is, that
he lost his life and his scalp by his indiscretion. In due
time the command reached the Sacramento River, and
were proceeding on the trail down that stream, when
they came to a point not far from a deep cailon, the
sides of which were almost perpendicular and composed
of cragged rocks. Fremont decided not to pass through

270 OXE "KLAMATH" DEFIES THE WHOLE PARTY.

this deep gorge, but instead, to travel around it ; and
he did so by crossing the river. It proved afterwards
to be a very fortunate change ; for their old enemies,
the Klamath Indians, had concealed themselves there,
thinking, as a matter of course, that the white men
would keep the trail. Seeing that the white men
were not coming into the ambuscade laid for them, the
Indians became so disappointed that they boldly ven-
tured forth from their hiding-places. A few, more
daring than the rest, advanced into open ground, when
Carson, Godey, and another member of the party, made
a dash at them. They all ran except one warrior, and
as the charging party were mounted on mules, they
made but poor progress in overtaking them. The one
Indian who, apparently, had resolved to make war on
his own account, concealed himself behind a rock,
strung his bow, putting several arrows in his mouth,
and thus awaited the advance of his foes. Kit Carson
and Godey soon came within shooting distance, when
he began to let fly his arrows, and kept it up so briskly
that the men dodged about, without being able to do
anything else for some moments. At last, wearying of
this dangerous sport, Kit Carson dismounted, and crept
.around until he obtained a good sight at the Indian,
when he drew up his rifle, fired, and sent a bullet
through his heart. From this dead brave, Kit Carson
took a beautifully -wrought bow and quiver, which still
contained a large number of arrows, and which he
presented, on rejoining the party, to Lieutenant Gil-
lespie. It is a pity that such a brave man as this
savage was should have met with such an inglorious
death ; but it was his own seeking, for he had attacked
the wrong persons. Another twenty-four hours now

A moment more and in all probability Kit Carson would have been breathing his
last. Fremont saw the danger his friend was in, although Kit had tried to avoid the
arrow by throwing himself on one side of his horse.— PAGE 267.

COMPULSORY FASTING. 273

passed by without any further annoyance from the
Indians, who, notwithstanding the late forcible instruc-
tion they had received, still continued to hover around,
and follow after the exploring party. On encamping
the next evening, after Kit Carson had killed the
Indian, as above described, the party found themselves
entirely destitute of anything to eat, although they
were very hungry. Game had, all at once, become
very scarce, as the hunters whose turn it was to be out
that day had returned unsuccessful. Two more men
were then sent out, in hopes that by perseverance they
might find something. They had not proceeded far
before they discovered an Indian watching their camp,
as if awaiting a favorable opportunity to make a descent
on the animals. Step (one of these hunters) crept un-
perceived by the red man until he was within rarge of
his rifle, when he fired, and killed the would-be thief.
No other game could be found, so the hunters returned,
and the whole party retired to rest supperless, and
arose the next morning to fast again. That day, how-
ever, they found and killed some game, and for the
time being their appetites were once more appeased.
Fremont was now on his way to Peter Lawson's Fort,
where he arrived safely, after several days of hard
traveling. At this place the party rested for about one
week ; but the desire to have an active share in the
approaching hostilities caused Fremont to delay no
longer than was absolutely necessary ; hence, he started
and went to a point lower down on the Sacramento,
known to the mountaineers under the name of the
Buttes. Here a camp was made, and here Fremont
had decided to wait positive orders concerning the
war; and, until these instructions should arrive, he

274 ATTACK ON SONOMA.

employed his men in hunting. After several days spent
in this way, he began to weary of inactivity. He
thought that, in all probability, war had commenced j
and, finally, he decided to take the responsibility of
sending a part of his force to surprise Sonoma, a Mexi-
can military post that had but a weak garrison. This
the party accomplished to the entire satisfaction of their
commander. They captured and made prisoners of
war, at this fort, one general and two captains, besides
taking several cannon and quite a quantity of small
arms. It was about this time that news reached Fre-
mont which convinced him that hostilities had already
commenced, and that both countries were taking active
measures to carry the war on with vigor. He set out
immediately, on the receipt of this information, and
joined his detail of men at Sonoma. During his stay at
this fort, General Castro sent one of his captains, with
a large force of Mexicans, from San Francisco, with
orders to drive the Americans out of the country.
This command came, and accidentally fell upon and
butchered two men whom Fremont had sent out as
messengers, to inform all American settlers that So-
noma had been taken by him, and that thither they
could fly for safety. The gallant Mexican captain, on
seeing and hearing that Fremont's forces were anxious
to meet him, becoming disheartened, began to retreat,
and was pursued by the exploring party. For six days
they thus followed the retreating enemy, whose courage
had evidently deserted them, though they had triple
the force of their pursuers. So hot was the chase that
the Mexicans deserted many of their animals, which,
as a matter of course, fell into the hands of the Ameri-
cans. Fremont, on finding that he could not overtake

MISSION AT MONTEREY.

CAPTURED MEXICANS. 275

the enemy, returned to Sonoma. The captain, with
his Mexican command, as was afterwards learned, did
not remain at San Francisco. No doubt he did not like
to trust himself within reach of Fremont, for he con-
tinued his march until he reached the Pueblo of Los
Angelos, where he was rejoined by General Castro, who
re-organized the forces and assumed the command him-
self. The exploring party had now become a military
expedition, and around this nucleus the Americans,
then in California, flocked to pour out their vengeance
against their country's foes. Having quite a little army
at his disposal, Fremont left a strong detachment at
Sonoma, and departed with the rest of his command
for Sutter's Fort. On arriving there, he placed the
fort under military rule, and left his prisoners, General
Vallejos and the two captains, who had been captured
at Sonoma ; also, an American by the name of Lace, who
was a brother-in-law to General Vallejos, and whose
predilections appeared to lean in favor of the Mexican
side. With all his mountain men, including Kit Car-
son, Fremont then took up his line of march towards
Monterey, for the purpose of attacking and taking pos-
session of the town ; but this movement had been
anticipated by Commodore Sloat and the American
squadron. Soon after Fremont's arrival at Monterey
(where he was very kindly received by the Commodore
and his officers), Commodore Sloat left the country,
and the command devolved upon Commodore Stockton.
A consultation having been held among the officers,
it was the prevailing opinion that it would be impossible
to overtake and engage the Mexicans by following
them up on land ; therefore Fremont asked for a ship

to take his force to San Diego, where he could obtain
16

276 A DEMORALIZED ENEMY.

animals and march on to Los Angelos. The United
States vessel, Cyane, under the command of Captain
Dupont, afterwards Admiral Dupont, was furnished
him for this undertaking by Commodore Stockton. In
four days' time the party arrived at San Diego, where
they landed. They there parted with the ship and the
gallant captain, with many pleasant reminiscences of
their short voyage. At San Diego, Fremont found
himself at the head of about one hundred and fifty
men, which was not a very strong force to be in an
enemy's country with, especially so far from their homes
as they were. However, nearly every man was a vet-
eran in war, and the whole body felt themselves invin-
cible, which was a source of great consolation to their
leader. From San Diego, parties of the command were
sent to scour the neighboring country, in order to bring
in a sufficient number of horses to mount the men.
This being accomplished, Fremont set out for Los
Angelos, where the Governor and General Castro had
a force of seven hundred men at their disposal.. These
officials, with their soldiers, on learning the near ap-
proach of the Americans, broke up and fled, most of
them taking the road to Sonoma, while the balance
scattered, not apparently caring where they went, as
long as they did not come in contact with the Ameri-
cans. Fremont. marched within about one league of
the town, and encamped to await, as had been previ-
ously agreed upon, the arrival of Commodore Stockton,
who soon joined him at this place with a party of sail-
ors and marines, "As fine a body of men," says Kit
Carson, "as I ever looked upon."

When the two commands had been consolidated, they
marched direct for Los Angelos, which they easily cap-

DETAILED FOR IMPORTANT DUTY. 277

tured, as its would-be defenders had some days before
deserted it. In this town the command was quartered
for some time ; but, as it is our intention to follow the
career of Kit Carson, who, shortly after their arrival,
had been detailed for important duty, which placed
him in new scenes; hence, we are necessitated to take
leave of affairs as they transpired there, and hereafter
revert to them casually as they connect with our nar-
rative.

278 KIT CARSON AS BEARER OF DISPATCHES.

CHAPTEE XI.

Kit Carson is sent Overland as Bearer of Dispatches to Washington — The
Preparation and the Start — The Journey — Privations and Sufferings —
Meeting with General Kearney — The General takes Carson as his
Guide and sends on his Dispatches by Fitzpatriek — The March — Ar-
rival at Warner's Ranche — Mexicans on the Road — Preparations for a
Battle — The Battle — Disastrous Consequences — Kit Carson and Lieu-
tenant Beale offer to run the lines of the Mexican Sentinels and carry
Information to San Diego of Kearney's Critical Position — The Daring
Undertaking — The Sufferings they Encountered — Their Arrival — Re-
inforcements sent out — Lieutenant Beale is Delirious from the Priva-
tions he has undergone — General Kearney and his Command finally
reach and join the other American Forces in California.

ON the 15th day of September, 1S46, Kit Carson was
placed in the command of fifteen men, with orders to
make an overland journey to Washington, as bearer of
very important dispatches.

At the time of which we write there was no steam
communications via the two great oceans ; no Union
Pacific Railroad to carry one over the plains with all
the comforts and luxuries of home ; consequently, the
intercourse between our brave countrymen in Califor-
nia and the government at Washington was attended
with extreme difficulty. Fortunately, Fremont had in
Kit Carson just the man to make such a journey
through an enemy's country.

Kit Carson was instructed to use his utmost en-
deavors to make the journey in sixty days, which was
no small undertaking, when we consider the great dis-

A PARLEY WITH THE APACHES. 279

tance to be traveled over and the obstacles that lay in
his path ; he undertook it, however, with a determina-
tion not to be easily frustrated.

By judicious management and watchfulness, Kit was
making good progress, and had reached a point within
two days' travel of the Copper Mines in New Mexico
without being in any way annoyed. Here he came
into full view of a village of Apache Indians, who were
then, as they nearly ever since have been, at war with
the Americans. He had been discovered by these In-
dians, and there was but one true way to act, which
was not to show the white feather by attempting to
evade them. Fremont's dispatch bearer had not the
least idea of that ; he was too well schooled in Indian
stratagem to be out-manoeuvred, so he rode on as if
nothing had happened until he came to some timber
that lay within one hundred yards of their village, when
he halted. At first the Indians were disconcerted at the
boldness of the whites, and were showing it by hurrying
to and fro, either for the purpose of leaving or to be bet-
ter prepared to offer fight. On arriving near enough
so to do, Kit Carson called to the savages and informed
them that his party were friends and wished a parley.
To this an assent was given, when Kit made them un-
derstand that he and his men were simply travelers,
en route for New Mexico ; that they carried the olive
branch of peace with them, and had come among them
bearing it, in the hopes of being able to exchange their
fatigued animals for others that were fresh. With this
the Indians were satisfied; therefore, Carson chose a
camping-ground for himself and men, and selected the
site so that they could best contend against the treach-
ery of the red men, should they attempt any. When

280 SHORT OF SUPPLIES.

the camp was arranged, the Indians were allowed to
come in; and, soon after, the trading commenced, which
proved to be very successful, for the men obtained very
good riding animals in place of their old ones. Their
intercourse with this band of Apaches closed early the
next day, when both parties bid each other good-by
on the most friendly terms.

A few days more of travel brought Kit Carson and
his men to the first Mexican settlement which then
stood in their road. Their arrival in the town hap-
pened very opportunely, having for the past few
days been suffering severely from hunger. They had
started from California with but a small stock of dried
meat and corn, not being able conveniently to carry
more without impeding their progress ; therefore, they
were left to depend on their rifles. Game they found
to be scarce, and in a short time their meat was ex-
pended. Being reduced to the corn, they were, as a
matter of necessity, very sparing of it. The maize was
parched and for several days they derived their entire
subsistence from it, though, on account of the short
allowance, they but poorly satiated their appetites.
About the time succor appeared to them in the shape
of this Mexican town, even the maize was nearly used
up. They were delighted to reach a place where they
would be able to replenish their provisions. It was
well known to their commander that, as a dernier re-
sort, he could kill and live upon his riding animals, but
in so doing, he would cripple his means so much that
the business he was on might prove a failure. While
so much depended on it, he felt that he ought not to
leave any other means untried before resorting to such
a procedure. It was true, the Mexicans at that time

MEETING WITH GENERAL KEARNEY. 281

were at war ; but there were scattered over New Mex-
ico, in almost every town, former friends of Kit Carson,
who would, he felt confident, serve him in the hour of
trial. At the first ranche they came to, they halted
and made a rest of two or three days, while Kit em-
ployed himself in purchasing supplies, in which he suc-
ceeded beyond even his expectations.

It was while obeying instructions, in traveling as fast
as possible, that one day, the sixth of October, 1846,
the party discerned something which, at first, looked
like a mere speck moving on the prairies. Watching it
with intense anxiety, the little speck increased in size
until they saw it emerge, as it were, from the appar-
ent junction of the heavens with the earth, and form
a visible line. As the front of this column came
nearer to view, they discovered that it was a strong
detachment of United States troops. The truth was
now evident to them all that this was an expedition
sent out by Government to operate in California.
Spurring on their animals, Kit and his men soon met
the advance guard of the soldiers and learned that
their commander was General Kearney, who was further
back in the lines. On coming to the General, Kit Car-
son reported himself, informed him of the business he
was on, and also furnished him with all the intelligence
in his power in reference to the disposal of the Ameri-
can forces in California, besides detailing to him what
had already been accomplished in that quarter.

After due deliberation, General Kearney determined
to send Mr. Fitzpatrick on to Washington with the dis-
patches, and to order Kit Carson to join him as guide.
In fulfilling this duty, he well knew that Kit would be
invaluable to him. Acting on this decision, he sent

282 A DREARY OUTLOOK.

for Kit Carson, and informed him of what he wished
him to do. Kit Carson replied — " As the General
thinks best." The fact was, that Kit well knew he
could be of great service to the command, and he was
too honest not to confess it, though he was now nearly
in reach of his happy home and its loved inmates, from
whom he had been so long separated and whom he
fondly wished to see. In facing about, Kit took upon
his shoulders the prospect of encountering fearful
dangers ; but he undertook his new duties without
allowing a murmur to escape his lips, and without even
asking additional pay, though, had he but mentioned
it, the General could not have well refused the demand.
A noble motive engrossed Kit Carson's mind. He
ever labored to win and wear the confidence and re-
spect of his countrymen, being ambitious to leave a
name behind him that would be an honor to his friends
and family.

On the eighteenth day of October, -1846, General
Kearney and his command left the Rio Del Norte, in
New Mexico. The services of Kit Carson, in directing
the route, proved the wisdom of General Kearney in
making the change in the bearers of dispatches. So
true was Kit Carson's guidance, that the command
traveled with so much dispatch as to reach Warner's
Eanche, in California, on the third day of December
following. From this place it took up a line of inarch
for San Diego.

While on their march, news was brought in by their
spies that a strong command of Mexican Californians
had taken up a position on their route, evidently
awaiting their advance with the view of attacking
them. This occurred on the sixth day of the same

A SKIRMISH WITH THE MEXICANS. 283

month. General Kearney made no change in his
route, but advanced to within fifteen tniles of the
enemy's encampment. Here he commanded a halt.
A reconnoitering party, consisting of fifteen dragoons,
commanded by Lieutenant Hammond, was sent on in
advance, to note the position and force of the enemy.
He proceeded upon the duty, but was discovered by
the Mexicans. Nevertheless, he fortunately succeeded
in making his observations previous to being seen. His
report to General Kearney, among other facts, stated
that these Mexican soldiers had strongly established
themselves in ar, Indian village.

General Kearney determined, without delay, to at-
tack them. Orders were given to resume the march ;
and, by one o'clock the next morning, the American
soldiers had fastened all their packs on their mules,
and were themselves mounted and ready for the com-
mand to move. The order came without delay, and
the little army was immediately in motion. Fourteen
miles of the space which separated the two parties
were passed without interruption. When within one
mile of the Mexican position, the advance guard of the
Americans suddenly came upon a small advance guard
of the Mexicans, who were evidently posted to watch
their approach and guard the road. As soon as they
were discovered, the trumpets of the dragoons sounded,
in quick succession, the orders to trot, and to gallop.
The Americans were so prompt in making their charge
that they came upon the Mexicans, when a sharp
skirmish ensued, in which several of the enemy were
killed. The remainder of the outpost were driven in,
bearing the news of the attack to their friends. Cap-
tain Johnson, Kit Carson, and fifteen American soldiers

284 A MIRACULOUS ESCAPE FROM DEATH.

formed the attacking party in this affair. They had
been ordered to secure the loose animals belonging to

D O

the enemy. In this they failed, the animals being too
strongly guarded, and because, upon the first alarm,
they were driven out of harm's way.

This attack, however, proved to be the commence-
ment of a serious fight. Seeing that his orders could
not be obeyed in regard to the animals of the enemy,
Captain Johnson and his party joined a party under
Captain Moore. The force of the latter consisted of
twenty-five American volunteers from California, who
had attached themselves to General Kearney's com-
mand since its arrival in the country. Moore's com-
mand also comprised parts of two companies of United
States dragoons. Captain Moore had been ordered to
make an attack on the centre of the enemy, in order
to cut their forces in two, and thereby cause confusion
in their ranks. As has been stated, Captain Johnson,
with his little force, joined Captain Moore in making
this attack. While the charge was in progress, and
when within one hundred yards of the Mexican camp,
Kit Carson's horse, occupying a leading position in the
column of attack, accidentally fell, and threw his rider
with such force as to break the wood part, or stock, of
his rifle into several pieces, rendering it useless. His
position, for a short time, was precarious. Being fore-
most in the charge when the accident happened, the
whole troop of horse came galloping over him as he
lay upon the ground. His escape was almost a miracle.
When the last horseman had passed, Kit arose, and
was quite happy to find that he had received only
slight contusions, which did not in the least impair his
movements or strength of body. Casting a hasty glance

A DESPERATE AND DEADLY CONFLICT. 285

over the field, he discovered a dead dragoon, not far dis-
tant from the spot where he himself had fallen. Instantly
running up to the poor fellow, he relieved him of his
gun and cartridge-box. Being once more armed, he
rushed forward at the top of his speed and plunged
into the thickest of the fight, which was then severely
contested. Captain Johnson and several of the more
advanced soldiers had been killed by the bullets of the
enemy, almost at the same instant that Kit Carson's
horse had fallen. It is not at all unlikely, therefore,
that the accidental falling of his horse had been the
means of saving Kit Carson's life. After a desperate
and deadly conflict, Moore and his men dislodged the
enemy, causing them to retreat. They were followed
by the Americans, but, unfortunately for their com-
plete success, the large majority of the latter were
mounted on mules. These, when the firing commenced,
became almost unmanageable. But forty of the entire
command of General Kearney were mounted on horses,
and these were none the best for cavalry purposes,
having been but recently broken to the saddle. They
had been captured since the arrival of the American
forces in the country, from a party of Mexicans, who
were en route to Sonora, by Lieutenant Davidson and
twenty-five dragoons, assisted by Kit Carson. By the
uncontrollable actions of the stubborn mules, Moore's
men became greatly separated and could not act in
concert. This rendered the pursuit, so far as the
enemy was concerned, nearly harmless.

The Mexicans, quickly perceiving the condition of
their assailants, and comprehending the chances, which
the apparent difficulty gave them, at once rallied and
turned on their pursuers. The fight was renewed with

286 TERRIBLE SLAUGHTER.

most determined courage. The Mexicans fought with
a bravery and success which turned the hitherto, com-
paratively speaking, bloodless victory of the Americans,
into a terrible slaughter. Every moment saw some
brave dragoon yield up his life to the deadly bullets or
blows of the exasperated Mexicans. Out of the forty
dragoons who were mounted on horses, thirty-six were
either killed or severely wounded. Among the names
to be added to the sad list already killed, was Captain
Moore, " as brave a man," says Kit Carson, " as ever
drew breath in any service." As fast as the scattered
American soldiers could reach the scene of carnage,
they joined in the battle; but, the Mexicans, elated by
their success, fought like demons, and seemed to sweep
everything before them.

General Kearney, seeing his officers thus shot down,
drawing his sword, placed himself at the head of his
remaining forces ; and, though severely wounded, he
made a desperate attempt to cause the enemy, once
more, to retreat. At this. crisis of affairs Lieutenant
Davidson arrived on the ground with two mountain
howitzers. Before he could get his guns unlimbered
and ready to commence firing, nearly every man he had
to work them was shot down, being either killed or
badly wounded. Following up their success, the Mexi-
cans charged right up to the guns, and, with the lasso,
unerring in their hands, captured the horses attached
to, and, on the instant, made off with one of the guns.
On reaching a distance of three hundred yards, they
halted and prepared to turn the fire of the howitzer
upon the Americans. From some unaccountable rea-
son, it would not go off. Lieutenant Davidson did his
utmost to prevent the loss of this gun, and after several

CALIFORNIA MEXICANS. 287

narrow escapes from dangerous lance wounds, as his
clothing and saddle sufficiently attested, he was finally
stricken down, and nearly gave his life a sacrifice to his
heroism.

After being thus badly cut up, and with not more
than one or two officers left who had not been
wounded, while the men had been handled with
equal severity, the Americans were obliged to take
refuge at a point of rocks, which chanced to be near
where their advance had been defeated. A rally
was made at this place. The Mexicans, however, did
not venture to attack them. Both sides were appar-
ently weary of fighting for that day. The firing ceased,
and soon after night closed over the scene of the battle-
field.

These California Mexicans, previous to the war with
the United States, were considered by the mountaineers
as the bravest Spanish blood in the Mexican provinces.
During the war, they proved that they had not been
overestimated, as they met their foes, at the com-
mencement of hostilities, with a determination to win
or sell their lives dearly. The reason of this difference
of courage in their favor over their countrymen who
inhabited the internal States, is supposed to be owing
to their opportunities for intercourse with the bold
mariners from different countries who visited them in
ships for the purpose of trade. This commerce con-
sisted in the transporting into the country of such arti-
cles as arms, ammunition, groceries, and dry goods, for
which were bartered, hides, tallow, and furs. The cur-
rency of California at that time was hides, which were
estimated at so many dollars. The raising of cattle and
horses was the leading employment of the people, and

288 A RENOWNED TRAVELER.

occupied most of their time. On the discovery of gold,
these affairs underwent a change, and the rapid strides
of civilization has left this people far in the minority.
The horses of California were celebrated as being
larger than the ponies of New Mexico, and also for
being much fleeter of foot. The California rider, at
that time, was looked upon as being unrivaled by
those who had witnessed his performances. However,
the intercourse between the two countries was very
limited among the Mexicans, and it was difficult to find
a New Mexican who had seen the Pacific. Their dia-
lects were also slightly different, as much so as happens
in the dependencies of any other country. It was fear
of the Indians that put a damper on the travel between
these adjoining districts. The society of the man who
had had the boldness to make a journey to California
from New Mexico was courted, he being considered a re-
nowned traveler. His amusing stories of large ships and
the men who managed them, and also of the great ex-
panse of the ocean, amazed his auditors and made them
deeply interested in his conversation and information.
It has become a strange sight to look upon whole com-
munities of men who have only heard of steamboats,
telegraphs, railroads, and other great improvements
and inventions of the age, yet there are thousands of
men living in the great interior of the North American
continent who have only vague ideas of these things ;
and many there are who cannot realize them, but be-
lieve that they are fabulous stories, and will meet the
narrator of them with equal wonders, which they man-
ufacture to suit the occasion. To give a specimen : we
remember one night to have tried to explain these ad-
vancements to an old Mexican of some eighty winters,

THE MAN WHO HAD SEEN " ADAM." 289

while we were the guest of his house. He listened at'
tentively, but evidently could comprehend but little that
we said. We changed the subject, and began to describe
to him the great beasts of the forest, such as the lion,
the tiger, and the elephant, and soon found that we
had struck the theme which pleased him. In reply, he
told us that in his younger days he himself was a fa-
mous hunter ; and that, on one occasion, while on the
chase, he met Adam, who, he informed us, was the
greatest hunter of his age. We were somewhat sur-
prised to hear this old man thus annihilate time and
space, but not more so than when we heard him relate
the conversation that passed between himself and
Adam. It was both short and sweet. The Mexican
demanded of Adam what was the particular game he
was seeking in these parts, and the reply was deer. He
said that he wished to kill a few choice bucks, in order
to get their skins to clothe Eve with, and hence he had
come to the Rocky Mountains. The flavor of this yarn
was so good, I attempted to try the old man on another
adventure, by asking him if he ever, by chance, in his
travels, met the Eml One. Immediately he informed
me that at one time that gentleman lived in a salt
marsh, which is to be found in the valley of San Louis.
The object of his staying there was to watch a very
fine band of horses which he was raising near by. The
Indians and Mexicans one day determined to deprive
Satan of his stock, and arranged things accordingly ;
but, on coming upon the horses, they were surprised
to find that they could not overtake them, and that the
horses ran directly into the swamp and vanished by
easily sinking out of sight. While looking for a path
that led into this marsh, they were all at once scared

2 'JO FABULOUS STORIES.

nearly out of their senses b}~ seeing the devil raise
himself up in the midst of the bog. The sequel was,
that the Mexicans and their Indian friends retreated
as fast as possible, and never stopped until they had
reached a place of safety. My companions became
vexed to think any man could perpetrate such a story
on travelers, who considered they knew a thing or two,
and commenced quizzing the old gentleman by asking
him what the Indians knew of Satan ; but the old Mex-
ican evaded the answer by taking down the little
wooden cross which hung on the wall of the room and
expressed the desire to confirm the truth of his story
by swearing to it ; this, of course, was said to be en-
tirely unnecessary. From it we had learned the lesson
never to try to impress on the minds of the ignorant
too weighty matters. This is true with the Indian
also ; for, he is incredulous of anything beyond the
grasp of his own mind, which fact is illustrated by the
following incident. An American had some business
to transact with a certain band of Indians, who were
celebrated as being very treacherous. Being a bold
man, he thought he would beard the lions in their
den, and accordingly traveled alone to where the band
was located ; but, instead of being received with open
arms, as he expected, he was made a prisoner, and
so held until it could be decided what was to be done
with him. At last, a council was formed, before which
he was to be tried. The first question asked by the
head chief was, "How do your white people get
gunpowder?" The reply was instantaneous: "We
sow it in a peculiar soil and it grows up like
wheat." This was responded to by a grunt from the
examiner. A pause ensued, when the chief looked

KICKED OUT OF THE COUNTRY. 291

the captive full in the eyes, and thus addressed him :
" Know you, young man, that the Great Spirit came into
our camp this morning, and after resting a short time
he took yonder large hill and placed it on the top of its
fellow, and after leaving it there two hours, he returned
it to its former site. He then bid his Indian children
good-by. Young man, your tongue is split : one fork
is for telling lies, and the other is for telling truths."
This was enough to convince the white man that he had
made a mistake, and that if he had attempted to pre-
sume on too much knowledge, his scalp might soon be
dangling on some lodgs-pole. The Indians admired the
brave and manly course he had pursued in coming to
them single-handed, and this, with the importance of
the business he came on, saved his life.

The California Mexicans were so remote from their
capital, that, although they acknowledged their alle-
giance to the general government, yet they were accus-
tomed, in many things, to act with great independence.
Whenever a governor was sent to them who would not
conform to their rules and regulations, or made himself
in the least obnoxious, he was immediately placed on
board ship, with orders to take himself out of the coun-
try as fast as possible, which he never failed to obey,
in order to save his life. Attempts were made by the
home department to make them suffer for these disobe-
diences of the general laws, but, in all of these contests,
the Californians came out victorious, and hence they
believed they were beyond the power of being van-
quished. They were taught differently by the Ameri-
cans.

These few cursory remarks will serve to show the

reader that General Kearney had no despicable foe to
17

292 KIT CARSON IN COMMAND.

overcome and subdue. His care now was to attend to
the wounded. There was no rest for his command that
night, as, during the hours of darkness, his men were
busy interring their dead and looking after the wants
of the sufferers. A sharp lookout, also, was kept on
the movements of the enemy, who were continually re-
ceiving re-inforcements. A council of war was held in
the American camp, when General Kearney, after
taking the advice of his remaining officers, decided to
move on early in the morning, with the hope of meet-
ing re-inforcements. He had dispatched three men as
bearers of dispatches to Commodore Stockton at San
Diego before the battle ; but, whether they had been
successful or not in reaching the Commodore, the
General did not know. Just before the late fight, they
had returned to within sight of their friends, when
they were taken prisoners by the Mexicans. The
order of the march on the following day was as fol-
lows: Kit Carson, with a command of twenty-five men,
proceeded in the advance, while the remainder of the
now very much crippled band of soldiers followed
after on the trail made by their guide. Steadily and
compactly these brave men moved forward, being con-
tinually in expectancy of a charge from the enemy,
who would show themselves, from time to time, on the
neighboring hills, and then again, for a time, disappear.
During the previous day, a Mexican lieutenant had his
horse shot from under him, and he himself had been
taken prisoner. On a favorable opportunity occurring,
General Kearney ordered the " halt" to be sounded,
when, through a flag of truce, he asked a parley. It
being granted, he succeeded in making an exchange of
the Lieutenant for one of his expressmen. He gained

A HARD FOUGHT BATTLE. 293

nothing by this, for the man stated that he and his
companions had found it impossible to reach their point
of destination, and hence they had turned back. The
manoeuvring on the part of the Mexicans, which we
have alluded to as consisting of making temporary
stands on the hills, and then changing their positions as
the Americans drew near to them, continued for the
greater part of the day. Finally, as General Kearney
and his men were approaching the water, where they
intended to camp, and were not over five hundred
yards from it, down came the Mexicans, divided into
two separate commands, for the purpose of making a
charge. They were at first warmly received by the
Americans, who, after a time, were obliged to give way
to superior numbers ; but, in doing so, they retreated
in good order to a hill about two hundred yards to
their left. Here they halted, and determined to de-
cide the battle ; but the wary Mexicans, on seeing the
strength of the position taken by their foes, declined to
attack them, and drew off to a neighboring height,
from which they commenced and maintained a deadly
fire on the Americans. Captains Emery and Turner,
with all the available dragoons, were sent to dislodge
them. This they did in splendid style, after a sharp
encounter, and, when their companions saw them take
possession of this position, General Kearney, with all
his wounded and luggage-trains, joined them there.
Here a permanent resting-place, for the time being,
was made. In fact, the men had no other choice, as
they were now pretty effectually used up from fighting,
severe loss, and fatigue. The Americans found on this
hill, water barely sufficient for their own use, and were
obliged to exclude the idea of sharing it with their

294 A DANGEROUS EXPEDITION".

animals. Although within sight of abundance of this
much-needed article, yet they did not dare to drive the
latter to it, for they were too weak to defend them from
the assaults of the enemy. The situation of General
Kearney's force was now critical in the extreme, as, be-
sides the dangers that surrounded him, the men were
reduced to living on their mules. That afternoon,
another council of war was called, at which desperate
efforts to be made for immediate relief were discussed.
When every spark of hope had almost died within them,
and when they were in a dilemma as to what still re-
mained for them to do, Kit Carson was found to act as
the reader has previously seen him act to parties almost
similarly situated — the right man in the right place.
Rising to his feet, he addressed a few simple words to
those present, saying that he was willing to make the
attempt of creeping through the Mexican lines. Should
he succeed, he pledged his word that he could carry in-
formation to Commodore Stockton at San Diego, and
thus bring them succor. No sooner had he made this
proposition than he was seconded by Lieutenant Beale,
then of the United States Navy, who, equally as brave
and daring as Kit Carson, volunteered his services in
the undertaking.

This gentleman, from the time he first turned lands-
man up to the present date, has been adding fresh
laurels to his fame. His career in exploring new
routes across the great western girdle of prairies and
mountains is so well known, through his valuable and
interesting reports, as not to require recapitulation at
our hands. His life has been one series of rare adven-
tures, while to the scientific world, he has proved a
valuable acquisition. To the United States Govern-

RUNNING THE ENEMY'S LINES. 295

ment his services were inestimable, and, as an explorer,
he has but few equals.

When Jeff. Davis was Secretary of War, acting under
orders Lieutenant Beale brought over some camels to
Texas, but they proved a failure. We believe Lieu-
tenant Beale is now the owner of a large and success-
ful ranche in California.

General Kearney at once accepted the noble and
generous offers of these two men, knowing that if he
waited until the following day and then attempted to
leave the hill, the consequences would be most disas-
trous ; for, in so doing, a sanguinary battle must cer-
tainly ensue, with the chances greatly against him.
Having made the few preparations necessary, Kit Car-
son and Lieutenant Beale waited the setting in of night,
under the cover of which they had both resolved to
succeed in the performance of their mission or die in the
attempt. Having got well under way, and while stealth-
ily crawling over the rocks and brush, they found their
shoes would often, even with the greatest preventive
care being taken, strike against the various impedi-
ments to their progress and make sounds which might
lead to their detection. To avoid this they took them
off and pushed them under their belts. Slowly, but
surely, they evaded the vigilant guard of the Mexican
sentinels, who they found to be mounted and three rows
deep, evidently being determined not to be eluded. So
near would they often come to these Mexican sentinels,
that but a few yards would measure the distance between
them and their enemies, yet, with brave hearts they crept
along over the ground foot by foot; they were almost
safe beyond these barriers, when all their hopes came
near being dashed to pieces. This alarm was caused

296 AGONIZING SUSPENSE.

by one of the sentinels riding up near to where they
were, dismounting from his horse and lighting, by his
flint and steel, his cigarette. On seeing this, Kit Car-
son, who was just ahead of Lieutenant Beale, pushed
back his foot and kicked softly his companion, as a sig-
nal for him to lie flat on the ground as he (Carson) was
doing. The Mexican was some time, being apparently
very much at his leisure, in lighting his cigarette ; and,
during these moments of suspense, so quietly did Kit Car-
son and his companion lie on the ground, that Carson said,
and always after affirmed, that he could distinctly hear
Lieutenant Beale's heart pulsate. Who can describe
the agony of mind to which these brave hearts were
subjected during this severe trial. Everything — the
lives of their friends as well as their own — so hung on
chance, that they shuddered ; not at the thought of
dying, but for fear they would fail in accomplishing
what was dearer to them than life, the rescue of the
brave men whose lives hung on their success. After
quite a long time, the Mexican, as if guided by the
hand of Providence, mounted his horse and made off in
a contrary direction from the one where these bold ad-
venturers were biding their time to accept either good,
if possible, or evil, if necessary, from the wheel of for-
tune. For a distance of about two miles, Kit Carson
and Lieutenant Beale thus worked along on their hands
and knees. Continually, during this time, Kit Carson's
eagle eye was penetrating through the darkness, ever
on the alert to discover whatever obstacle might pre-
sent itself on which was stamped the least appearance
of danger. Having passed the last visible image in
the shape of a sentinel and left the lines behind them
at a suitable distance, both men regained their feet,

TERRIBLE SUFFERING. 297

and once more breathed freely. Their first thought
was to look for their shoes, but, alas, they were gone.
In the excitement of the journey, they had not given
them a thought since depositing them beneath their
belts. Hardly a word had hitherto passed between
these two companions in danger, but now they spoke
hurriedly and congratulated each other on the success
that so far had attended them, and thanked God in
their hearts that He had so mercifully aided them.
There was no time for delay, as they were by no
means yet free from danger, though they thought that
the worst was over. Kit Carson was familiar with the
country, and well knew the necessity of avoiding, for
fear of being discovered, all the well trodden trails and
roads which lead to San Diego, everyone of which was
closely watched by the enemy. He chose a circuitous
route, over rocks, hills and wild lands. The soil was
lined with the prickly pear, the thorns of which were
penetrating, at almost every step, deep into their bare
feet, which, owing to the darkness and thickness of the
plants, they could not avoid. The town of San Diego
was located many miles in a straight line from .the
point from whence they had started, but, by the round-
about route they were obliged to travel, this distance
was much lengthened. All the following day they
continued their tramp and made as much progress as
possible. Their mental excitement kept them in good
spirits, though, from previous fatigue, the want of food
during this time, and by the rapid pace at which they
were traveling, they were putting their physical powers
to their full test. Another night closed in around them,
yet " ONWARD " was their watchword, for they thought
not of rest while those behind them were in such im-

298 THEIR TKIALS ENDED.

minent peril. Kit Carson's only compass was his eye,
which served him so well that soon the dark outlines of
the houses of San Diego could just be discerned. Both
men were ready to leap with joy. They were challenged
by the American sentinels about the town, and answered
in pure English, " Friends," which same English was un-
mistakable proof to the guard from whence they came.
On stating their important business, they were con-
ducted into the presence of Commodore Stockton, to
whom they related what we have tried to describe.
Commodore Stockton, with his usual promptitude, imme-
diately detailed a command of about one hundred and
seventy men to make forced marches in order to reach
and relieve their besieged countrymen. With as much
dispatch as possible, this force set out, taking with
them a piece of heavy ordnance, which, for want of
animals, the men themselves were obliged to draw, by
attaching ropes to it. Kit Carson did not return with
them, for it was considered that he had seen service
enough for the present; besides, his feet were badly
swollen and inflamed from the rough usage they had
recently been obliged to submit to. He graphically
described the position of General Kearney, so that the
relief party could have no difficulty in finding him.
He remained to recruit in San Diego ; though, had the
Commodore expressed the least wish to have Kit Car-
son return, every man who knows him can bear wit-
ness with me that he would have been the last person
to object, so long as there was life in his body. Unused
then to such hardships and mental excitements on land,
as was his more experienced companion, Lieutenant
Beale, from the trials of the service performed, became
partially deranged j and for treatment, was sent on

LIEUTENANT BEALE DERANGED. 299

board the frigate Congress, which ship lay in the har-
bor, being one of the vessels attached to the Commo-
dore's fleet. Two long years elapsed before the gallant
Lieutenant fully recovered from the effects of this
adventure, which, for the bravery and unselfishness
evinced in its planning, and the boldness with which
it was carried out, without mentioning the good results
it produced, was not excelled by any one feat performed
during the Mexican War. Better than all, had these
two men known previously the poor rewards which were
afterwards to be bestowed upon them by their govern-
ment for this heroic deed, I hesitate not in saying, that
it would have had no effect in changing their purpose.
The re-inforcements sent out to meet General Kearney,
by traveling both by day and night, soon reached and
released him, without coming in contact with the enemy.
They kept a bright lookout and were early apprised,
through their spies, of what was transpiring among the
Americans ; hence, as the naval brigade drew near, they
retreated. The road being now clear, General Kear-
ney, with his soldiers and marines, marched on to San
Diego, where his wounded men were comfortably
housed and received the attentions of skillful surgeons.

THE CAPTURE OF LOS ANGELOS.

CHAPTER XII.

A Command of Six Hundred Men is sent against Los Angelos — The
Mexican Army evacuates the Town — Its Capture — Rumors of an
Attack to be made on Fremont's Command — The Mexicans surrender
— The Winter Quarters — Kit Carson is ordered to carry Dispatches
overland to Washington — Lieutenant Beale accompanies him — A Night
Attack made by the Indians — Arrival in the United States — Kit Car-
sou's Introduction to Colonel Benton and Mrs. Fremont — Hospitality
offered to him at Washington — Kit Carson receives the Appointment
of Lieutenant in the Rifle Corps of the United States Army from
President Polk — He is ordered to Carry Dispatches to California — The
Journey — A Brush with the Camanche Indians — Arrival at Santa Fe
— More Trouble with Hostile Indians — Arrival at Los Angelos — Dis-
patches delivered — Kit Carson is Assigned to do Duty with the Dra-
goons— Is ordered to Guard Tajon Pass — The Winter spent there —
Is ordered again to Carry Dispatches to Washington-— The Journey
and its Adventures — The Return to New Mexico.

ONE month elapsed before the forces of the United
States that were concentrated at San Diego were en-
tirely recruited, and in fine trim for taking the field
again. At the expiration of this time, a command of
six hundred men was detailed for the purpose of captur-
ing Los Angelos. The commanding officers of this
force wrere General Kearney and Commodore Stockton.
At Los Angelos was assembled the main strength of the
Mexicans then in California ; the number of their fight-
ing men was about seven hundred. Towards this town
the Americans took up their line of march, and, in the
course of a few days, they arrived within fifteen miles
of it. The Mexican forces had taken a strong position

IN WINTER QUARTERS. 301

on a hill, near by which they had pitched their tents
and strongly fortified their camp. Between the Ameri-
cans' and the enemy's camp ran a small river. It was
decided to postpone the attack until the following day.
Early the next morning, General Kearney ordered two
pieces of artillery to be brought to bear upon the
Mexican position. The guns were so well and success-
fully served, that the Mexicans were forced to break
up their camp. As soon as this state of things became
apparent, General Kearney and Commodore Stockton
crossed the river and marched on the town. On enter-
ing Los Angelos, they found that it had been evacuated
by the Mexicans, and that only a few stragglers re-
mained in or near the place. From some of these they
learned that the retreating army had gone to attack
Colonel Fremont, who, with a force of four hundred
Americans collected in Monterey, was also on the march
for Los Angelos. It turned out afterwards that the
Mexicans succeeded in finding Colonel Fremont, but,
for unknown reasons, failed to give him battle, as they
had boasted they would ; but, instead, they gave him
the preference over the other American commanders
by surrendering to him. Colonel Fremont continued
his journey, and finally reached Los Angelos, where he
and all the officers and men heretofore spoken of as
engaged in this campaign, rested for the winter, and
managed to pass the time very agreeably, considering
their remote position. Carson, who had, for a great
length of time, been rendering valuable services to
Kearney, rejoined Fremont, when that officer arrived
in town, and once more enrolled himself on his old
commander's muster roll.

We have said that the cold and dreary winter days

302 THE GREEN-EYED MONSTER.

were passed at Los Angelos as agreeably and happily
as the circumstances of the case would permit. This is
only true to a certain extent. It was at Los Angelos,
and during this winter, that the seeds of discord were
first sown between the rival commanders, and the plot
carefully laid, which finally led to Colonel Fremont's
court-martial. Rank, with its green-eyed monster,
jealousy, which is ever watching with a restless and
caustic determination to snatch from the subaltern his
hard-earned laurels, was actively at work during these
winter months. By the programme, cut and dried, the
ambitious young soldier, who was nobly breasting the
conflicts against the enemies of his country, was to be
summarily put down, and his career quickly guillotined.
These ungenerous plans had their birth and were care-
fully fostered at Los Angelos ; but, the wise decrees of
the American people, ever just in the cause of truth,
although tardy, came at last to the rescue, and stamped
the course with its approval and complete endorsement
which had led the bold Explorer to unfurl the standard
of his country over the modern El Dorado. In this view
the course of the Mexican forces at Los Angelos, in sur-
rendering their swords to Colonel Fremont, becomes
significant. A brave though fallen enemy, seldom fails
to admire a heroic, chivalrous and discreet victor. The
choice here plainly indicated between Colonel Fremont
and General Kearney, we repeat, is sufficiently signifi-
cant. In Colonel Fremont the fallen chieftains of the
brave Californian-Mexicans discerned all the qualities
which make up true nobility of character. Many of
the men under him were well known to the Mexicans
as being upright, honorable and generous. For many
years they had lived among them. Hence we discover

POPULARITY OF FREMONT. 606

the reason of their preference in laying down their
arms in their presence.

Kit Carson took no active part in these unhappy dif-
ferences, but, his simple action in leaving General
Kearney's command and reenlisting under his old
commander shows plainly, to a discerning public, that
he could not be alienated from his friend by acts of
injustice. It also spoke more significantly than words
that he adjudged his friend to have performed in be-
half of his country meritorious actions and great ser-
vice. Such was Kit Carson's view ; and no man was
capable of forming a better judgment in the premises
than he. As an occupant of an inferior rank, he then
kept his counsel to himself, until the time at last ar-
rived when he could fully and appropriately express
his opinion, though that opinion he was well aware had
been rendered entirely unnecessary by the honorable
mention since attached to the name of Fremont, by the
highest officer in the American service, by the recom-
mendation to the President of the officers of the court
to commute the sentence, and by the President of the
United States in appointing, unsolicited, the court-mar-
tialed Conqueror of California to the high and important
trust of commissioner to run the boundary line between
the United States and Mexico, and finally by the spon-
taneous outburst of enthusiasm which greeted the name
of John C. Fremont, from around the firesides of the
American people, when his name was placed at the
head of one of the great political parties of the nation.

It is not for or against regulations that these remarks
are directed. The transactions with which they deal
have not been forgotten. They are recorded as his-
torical facts, and, as such, are always open for investi-

CARSON AND LIEUTENANT BEALE.

gation or deductions. In the month of March, 1847,
Kit Carson was ordered to carry important dispatches
to the War Department at Washington. Lieutenant
Beale, who was still a great invalid, was permitted to
accompany him. In order to show the regard which
Kit Carson entertained for this brave officer, and also
to portray to the reader the goodness of heart which
has ever been the actuating impulse in all of Kit Car-
son's actions, we will give his own words in relating
this part of his adventures : " Lieutenant Beale went
with me as bearer of dispatches intended for the Navy
Department. During the first twenty days of our
journey, he was so weak that I had to lift him on and
off his riding animal. I did not think for some time
that he could live ; but I bestowed as much care and
attention on him as any one could have done under the
circumstances. Before the fatiguing and dangerous
part of our route was passed over, he had so far re-
covered as to be able to take care of himself. For my
attention (which was only my duty) to my friend, I
was doubly repaid by the kindness shown to me by his
family while I staid in Washington, which was nuore
than I had any reason for expecting, and which will
never be forgotten by me." On the river Gila, Kit
Carson's party was attacked by Indians during the
night, while they were encamped. These savages
threw a good round number of arrows into the midst
of his men, which, however, did no damage, as, early
in the commencement of the assault, he had directed
them to hold up before them their pack-saddles, behind
which they could pretty securely conceal themselves
while lying upon the ground. He also directed the
men not to talk, lest they should indicate their posi-

KIT CARSON IN WASHINGTON. 305

tions. It was very dark, and the Indians, from the
above precautions being taken, were frustrated in their
plans. His men lay very still ; and, having previously
received the order so to do, they awaited the near ap-
proach of the red men, when they were to use their
rifles as clubs. The reason which made this latter
command best was, because no man could see to shoot ;
hence, were they to fire at random, they would only
expend their ammunition, a loss they were in no situa-
tion to sustain. However, the Indians became weary
of their shooting after a few hours, and did not hazard
a close attack, but went away to parts unknown.

Kit Carson and Lieutenant Beale arrived at Wash-
ington in the following June, having accomplished their
journey overland, a distance of nearly 4,000 miles, in
about three months, a record which shows that they
had not been idle while on the route. With the ex-
ception of the Indian attack sustained on the Gila, they
were not again annoyed by the red men, although over
the vast tract of wild territory which they had traversed
there roam thousands of savages who often, for the
slightest pretext, and frequently without any reason
whatever, will murder the unsuspecting traveler, as it
chances to please them. Hence, to accomplish this
journey, it was not only necessary to know the direc-
tion to shape their course, but also to be familiar with
the haunts and habits of these various tribes, in order
to avoid them. All of this knowledge Kit Carson, the
mainspring of this little party, was well possessed of,
and, as a matter of business, guided himself and men
in a direct and safe course.

The hardships and privations of this trip were trivial
affairs when compared to most of Kit Carson's previous

306 WATCHFULNESS IN TIME OF DANGER.

adventures, and not considered by him as worthy of
mention. Indeed, Kit Carson was so hardened in all
kinds of vicissitudes, that a man, in his eyes, must have
stood on the brink of death, before he had seen much real
suffering ; but, probably, if the reader had been one of
the members of this party, he would, unless equally
experienced in Western frontier life, have considered
that he had seen something of the world, and the rough
side of it at that.

It requires no small amount of courage and deter-
mination to start out with but a handful of men to
perform the difficult and dangerous task of threading
the American continent from tide to tide, even at the
present epoch ; but, twenty-five years ago, there were
few men living who had ever performed or were able
to perform the feat at all, much less with the certainty
and speed which lay within the power and experience
possessed by Kit Carson. In describing these trips,
while dictating this book, he spoke of them as lightly
as a man would after making a journey of a few
hundred miles in a railroad car. He seemed to have
acted with the idea that this duty was expected of him,
and it required but the official orders to send him
bounding over the country, without regard to obstacles
or dangers. His final object was his destination, which,
on reaching, he was ready to quit at a moment's warn-
ing, with as much sang froid as a Russian courier pos-
sesses when doing his master's bidding ; yet, so cautious
was he when traveling, that, at first, to a new com-
panion, he often appeared to be wanting in courage.
Not a bush, a tree, a rock, or any other hiding-place on
his path, escaped his notice. Towards the heavens, in
search of smoke ascending from, or crows, as they hover

A GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT. 307

about Indian encampments which are deserted, or for
ravens, and back again to the earth, on the lookout
for moccasin or horse-tracks, his eyes were continually
turning. There was a nervous action about the man
that showed him ever alive to meet and be ready for
any emergency. These traits were sure to instill con-
fidence in his followers.

On starting from Los Angelos, Kit Carson took but
a few rations of provisions with him, as he could not
burden the few animals he had, too heavily ; hence, he
was compelled to depend on the rifle and the chances
of meeting with game. This, of course, is always an
uncertain mode of supporting life, and, consequently,
it not utifrequently happened that the party were out
of food and went fasting; yet, not a murmur was heard.
On they sped, in the hopes of reaching their homes and
firesides, where kind friends were awaiting them, and
where their cares and troubles would be buried in the
past, and appear like dreams. In the breast of the
leader of this expedition there was throbbing a heart
that was anxious to do its duty well, for he wras ap-
proaching, not his family circle, but instead, the fire-
side of strangers to whom he was only known by name.
Yet, in the common cause of his country's honor, he
recognized in every American with whom he came in
contact his true friend, and therefore he, also, was very
happy as he neared Washington. There he looked
confidently forward to hear the words : " Well done,
thou good and faithful servant." At St. Louis, Kit
Carson had the honor of an introduction to the Hon.
Thomas H. Ben ton, who was greatly interested in him,
and who kindly invited him to make his house in
Washington his home during his stay there. Of this

308 CARSON MEETS MRS. FREMONT.

invitation Kit Carson availed himself, and afterward
considered that he was very fortunate in doing so, for
the best of everything was heaped upon him, while he
enjoyed the satisfaction of meeting and conversing with
the great men of his country.

Mrs. John C. Fremont, daughter of Colonel Benton,
and wife of the distinguished explorer, was in attend-
ance at the railroad depot when the train of cars in
which Kit Carson was traveling arrived in Washington.
It was quite late in the evening when he reached the
terminus of his journey; yet, notwithstanding this, Kit
had hardly landed on the platform of the deput, before
he was addressed by a lady who said that she knew
him from her husband's descriptions of him, and that
he must accept the hospitalities of her father's house.

The distinguished father-in-law of John C. Fremont
became, from the time of their first meeting in St.
Louis, the warm friend and patron of Kit Carson ;
and, up to the time of his death, he had no cause to
change his first impressions of him. There was not a
friendly favor within his power which would not have
been freely given, had it been asked. It is one thing
to make a friend, but another to keep him ; and those
who knew the true character of Mr. Benton are cog-
nizant of the fact that he was not easily won ; but,
when gained, that he was true as steel, as is beauti-
fully illustrated by the able and devoted manner in
which he stood by Gen. Andrew Jackson.

It is indeed a valuable possession to know that one
has friends who cannot be bought by wealth or other
sordid attractions ; men who can discern, through
the rough garb of the working as well as thinking
man, those noble qualities which place them on a par.

EECEFT1ON IN WASHINGTON. 309

This acquisition Kit Carson held. He easily made a
friend, and never deserted him ; hence, those with
whom he came in contact, who were worthy of this
name, were enrolled on his side; and he seldom had
occasion to call a man his enemy. Kit Carson was so
embarrassed and overcome by the expressions of kind-
ness and hospitality which greeted his first arrival at
Washington, that he could hardly essay a reply; and
yet, he was almost too happy at the opportunity pre-
sented of accepting Mrs. Fremont's invitation. If
there was anything wanted to cement , Carson more
firmly in his friendship and admiration for Colonel Fre-
mont, it was thus to know his accomplished and gifted
lady. The situation of Jessie Fremont has often been
comparable with that of the noble-hearted Lady Frank-
lin. Again and again has she been compelled to part
from her husband when he started out to battle in the
cause of science, and in the words of the poet, she seem-
ingly said :

" Go, wondrous creature ! mount where science guides ;
Go, measure earth, weigh air, and state the tides."

Kit Carson remained some time in Washington ; but
had it not been for the many tokens of kindness which
he there received, he would have grown weary of
the restraints of civilization. As it was, he continually
longed to be once more in the mountains and prairies.
His desire, in time, was granted ; for, having received
the appointment of lieutenant in the rifle corps of the
United States army from President Polk, he was or-
dered, as bearer of dispatches, to return across the
continent from whence he had but recently come.
Lieutenant Beale had intended to return with him, but

310 RETURN TO NEW MEXICO.

did not eventually proceed any further than St. Louis.
There he became too ill to continue on the journey.
After arriving at Fort Leavenworth, Kit Carson wus
furnished with an escort of fifty men, who were volun-
teers in the war which was then being carried on against
Mexico. With his usual promptness and dispatch, Kit
Carson was soon under way crossing the plains. At
Leavenworth he had learned that the Comanche In-
dians were at war with the whites. As he knew them
to be a numerous and treacherous tribe, he had taken
this strong escort in order to give them battle, if they
should be anxious for it. However, he arrived at a
place called the " Point of Rocks," which is not far from
the Rocky Mountains, and on their east side, without
discovering any signs of these Indians. At this place
they made their appearance.

The " Point of Rocks " appear to have been a favorite
place of resort for the Indians of the plains. It is noto-
rious as being one of the most dangerous places for the
traveler in all the far West. It is a series of continu-
ous hills, which project out on the prairies in bold re-
lief. They end abruptly in a mass of rocks, out of
which gushes a cold and refreshing spring, which is the
main attraction about the place. The road winds about
near this point, and, therefore, it was a chosen spot for
the Indians to lurk, in order to catch the unwary pil-
grim. Several encounters with the savages have taken
place here, which has caused it to be pointed out as
the scene of bloody tragedies, thereby making it quite
historical. The Indians themselves have made this
spot the stage on which has been enacted several des-
perate battles. In making the journey to Santa Fe,
when these rocks are passed, the- traveler counts his

SKIRMISH WITH COMANCHES. 311

march as being drawn to a close. Government troops
on the lookout for Indians on the plains, rarely fail,
when they come from New Mexico, to give this place a
visit.

Kit Carson had arrived at the place with his escort,
and was about establishing his camp. His men were
under orders to keep a vigilant watch for Indians, while
Kit Carson's restless eye was searching the country in
every direction to discover their signs. About three
hundred yards distant he discovered white men, and
found there was encamped a company of United States
volunteers, under the command of Lieutenant Mulony.
With this company was a large train of wagons bound
for New Mexico. Kit Carson ordered his men to go
into camp. The night passed by without any signs of
the Indians; but, early in the morning of the subse-
quent day, as Lieutenant Mulony's men were leading
out their animals to picket them in fresh grass, the
savages suddenly made their appearance and began an
attack upon the picketing party, capturing all their
cattle and twenty-six horses. Mulony's men had left
their rifles in camp, and, therefore, in order to escape be-
ing killed, they retreated to their wagons. The cattle in
the confusion which ensued, turned and came towards
Kit Carson's camp. He and his men, who were in-
stantly on the alert, made an unexpected charge upon
the Indians and recaptured the oxen. During the
skirmish which ensued, two of his men dismounted, in
order to be more certain of a deliberate aim, but, in so
doing, they accidentally let their own horses go loose,
and lost them, as they ran away with those that were
being stampeded by the red men.

In this affair three of the volunteers were wounded.

312 DISAPPOINTED BUFFALO HUNTERS.

With the two horses lost by Kit Carson's men, twenty-
eight riding animals, belonging to the United States
government, were stolen by this band of Comanches.
But, had it not been for Kit Carson and his men, Lieu-
tenant Mulony would have lost his cattle likewise.

Young oxen, when stampeded, are sometimes lost
by the Indians. When not killed by wolves they
usually join with the herds of buffalo and soon become
wild. In this state, they are represented as being quite
fleet of foot. More generally they fall a prey to the
wolves, and, sometimes, again into the hands of the
savages. A party was crossing the plains in the year
1854 ; the advance of the party sent back word that
the first buffalo was in sight. Many amateur hunters
eagerly volunteered for the chase, and soon quite a
squad of men were traveling at a good round gallop
towards the supposed game. On approaching the
game, it was found to be an old larne ox, which had
been turned out by some caravan to die. The disap-
pointment which prevailed in this crowd of neophyte
hunters, on discovering this mistake, can be better im-
agined than described. The poor ox, apparently, had
no idea of giving up the ghost quite yet. He was in
good health and spirits, and showed signs of being
pleased to see a white man again. The little birds of
the prairies had used him as a perch. This office he
appeared quite accustomed to perform, for he did not
disturb the flock that was then occupying his back.
How he had escaped the wolves is a miracle.

From signs discovered after the Indians had de-
camped, it became evident that several of the thieves
had been mortally wounded ; but, being tied on their
horses, they were carried out of sight before they died.

COMANCHE HORSEMANSHIP. 313

This is a fair sample of many of the Indian fights which
have occurred, and are yet not imfrequent, on the
prairies ; the object of the savages is to plunder, there-
fore an unguarded moment is selected for their attacks.
In this instance, by the time the whites had got their
fire-arms and men ready to commence the contest, the
Indians had perpetrated their intended assault and
were off.

The Comanches are excelled by no men in the world
in their horsemanship, not excepting the famous Cos-
sacks of Europe. The level prairies are beautiful fields
for them to act on. It is in a skirmish similar to the
one we have endeavored to describe, that they put
these qualifications to the test. The arena where
these scenes are enacted is a very undesirable place
for a mere spectator. Kit Carson and party resumed
their march the same day, and arrived safely at Santa
Fe, without meeting with any other adventures. At
this town he left his escort of fifty volunteers, and
hired sixteen other men with which to perform the
remainder of his journey. This was in obedience to
the orders he had received at Fort Leavenworth. Pur-
suing his route on Muddy Creek, a tributary of Virgin
River, he came upon a village of some three hundred
Indians, so suddenly, as his route twisted about among
the hills, that he had to make a bold matter of it, and
go into camp, for the purpose of having a " talk." Kit
Carson had learned some time before that these very
red men had massacred seven Americans. For this
reason he determined not to trust them, even if they
professed friendship. The Indians wished to come into
his camp, but this privilege he would by no means
grant to them. He posted his men and selected a

314 A CASE REQUIRING NERVE.

place so that he himself could talk, and at the same
time let them see that if the least hostile demonstration
was made by their side, it would be answered by a volley
of bullets from the rifles of the white men. Kit Carson
harangued them and informed them that he knew of
the murders they had committed on his people during
the past year. He told them that they bore a treach-
erous character and could not be treated as friends,
and wound up his discourse by adding, that he would
not allow himself to be deceived, for he knew that
their only object in gaining admission into his camp
was to repeat their bloody acts. He now gave them
a limited period of time in which to be off, at the ex-
piration of which, several lounged about, apparently
doubting his words. He now gave the order to fire.
In consequence, a few shots were aimed at them, which
killed one and wounded three or four others. This had
the tendency to hurry the movements of the remain-
der, who retired from the dangerous proximity to his
camp. This was a case which required some nerve
and great experience in the commander of the little
party. Nothing but the personal courage and prompt-
ness of Kit Carson saved his command. The success
of fifteen men against three hundred Indians in this
manner, is chiefly due to their commander.

The party proceeded on their journey, but soon were
troubled for food. Having used up all the game they
could find, they were obliged to kill two mules, on
which they lived until they arrived at Los Angelos.
Kit Carson, finding that the officers to whom he was
ordered to deliver his dispatches were at Monterey,
journeyed thither, and having reached that town in
safety, gave the documents to Colonel Mason, then of

V;>'r &

LIEUTENANT IN UNITED STATES AEMY. 317

the First Regiment of United States dragoons, who
was in command. Obeying orders, Kit Carson, now an
acting lieutenant in the United States army, returned
to Los Angelos and was assigned to duty in the com-
pany of United States dragoons commanded by Captain
Smith. Kit was allowed little time to recruit, but his
restless disposition did not ask, nor his habits require
it ; consequently, he remained at Los Angelos only a
short period. With a command of twenty-five dragoons,
he was ordered to proceed to Tajon Pass, the main outlet
through which hostile Indians went out of California,
bearing the proceeds of their incursions, such as cattle,
horses, sheep and captives. Kit Carson's duty in this
place was to intercept the Indians and examine their
papers and cargoes. He spent the winter in doing
much good in this service. In the spring, he was again
ordered to proceed overland to Washington, with dis-
patches. An escort being furnished him, he was soon
under way, and had reached Grand River without en-
countering any serious difficulty. At this place an
accident happened to his party while crossing the river
on rafts.

During the early part of summer, the fording of
streams which have their source in the Rocky Moun-
tains is no safe or easy task. When the sun and the
warm south winds begin to melt the immense piles of
snow and ice in the mountains, the water comes tumbling
down in torrents ; and, having overflowed the rivers'
banks, floods the adjacent country. By this means,
new gullies and ravines are continually forming, which,
when the melting process ceases, are converted into
dry beds. With this rush of angry water, large rocks
and masses of earth are swept from their natural seat,

318 DANGEROUS MOUNTAIN STREAMS.

leaving a wreck behind that is fearfully grand to be-
hold. The roaring of these torrents, as they come leap-
ing past and over every obstacle, resembles a low,
rumbling thunder, which is reechoed through the deep
forests and canons. Sometimes travelers are compelled
to wait weeks before these rivers fall sufficiently to
allow a safe transit. Heavy rains have the same effect
to enlarge them ; and, in one instance, a body of sol-
diers, while crossing the plains, were overtaken by
these rains, which fell with such rapidity and in such
quantity as to make the level prairies almost one sheet
of water, while every ravine was converted into a river,
swift and deep. To cross these, the men were obliged
to use their best exertions with very poor means to
guard against loss; and, even with the best care, one
man was drowned, while several mules shared the same
fate.

This accident crippled the resources of Kit Carson's
party very much, and caused them afterwards great
suffering. The accident occurred something after the
following manner. One division of the men, with their
leader as a companion, had constructed a float of logs,
on which they had crossed the stream in safety ; but
the second branch of the party, under charge of Lieu-
tenant Brewerton, then of the United States army, and
who was traveling in company with Kit Carson, were
not so successful with their raft ; for, no sooner did
they get it into the swift current than it became
unmanageable, and, finally, precipitated its contents,
among which were included several of the men and
their luggage, into the water. The wrecked men, with
great difficulty, saved their lives by swimming to the
shore from which they had started. The day was far

WRECKED IN GRAND RIVER. 319

spent, and no attempt to succor them could be made
that evening ; so, in their semi-state of nudity, and
without the means of making a fire, they passed a
miserably cold night ; but, early the next morning, one
of their friends recrossed and carried them an axe, by
the aid of which a new raft was made, on which they
embarked a second time, and were soon safe with their
companions. Among the very useful articles that were
lost by this mishap, there were several saddles and six
valuable rifles. What made this loss peculiarly un-
pleasant was, that they could not be replaced until the
party could reach the settlements. The owners of the
saddles were now in a sad plight, for, neither to the
rider or his horse is it a very pleasant prospect to
make a long journey without these useful articles.
After repairing their damages as best they could, they
struck out afresh. Setting aside hunger and the suffer-
ing experienced from exposure to cold, they were not
again incommoded in any way until they had come to
the vicinity of the Mexican towns. Here they met
several hundred Utah and Apache Indians. These
red-skins showed some warlike symptoms which Kit
Carson did not in the least fancy ; but, to make the
best of his situation, he ordered his men to post them-
selves in a neighboring thicket and be ready to act on
the defensive. Kit Carson then informed the Indians
that they must keep at a proper distance, or otherwise
he would direct his men to fire into them. He told
them that if they were disposed to be friendly, which
they professed to be, towards the white men, they
could show it by leaving and not annoying his party,
who, being nearly naked and in a destitute condition,
could give them nothing. Evidently the savages saw

320 KIT'S LOVE FOR HIS FAMILY.

this was true, and so did not hazard a fight, but de-
parted. Kit Carson traveled that night ten miles
further. It was late in the day when he again ven-
tured on the trail, but this distance was all that his
animals could accomplish without food and rest, for
they were fatigued and poor. His object in thus
resuming his march was to separate himself and men
as far as he could from the Indians, fearing that they
might change their minds and conclude to attack him.
Being too weak, his party was in no condition for an
engagement. At the end of this distance, he for-
tunately met with a party of volunteers, who had been
out in search of these very savages, in order that they
might punish them for some rascality they had been
recently guilty of. The next day Kit Carson reached
Taos, where he allowed himself a short respite for the
purpose of recruiting, and also to have the pleasure of
a visit to his family and friends. These were privileges
which, during his life in the mountains, had been seldom
granted to him, though his feelings of attachment for
relatives and intimate acquaintances are not exceeded
by those of any living man. Indeed, his love for his
children is unbounded. We have several times heard
him assert, that if there was any one thing that could
make him a coward, it would be the thoughts of his
little ones. When his party had sufficiently recruited,
Kit Carson left Taos and proceeded to Santa Fe. At
this time, Colonel Newby, of the Illinois Volunteers,
was in command of the United States forces stationed
there. This gentleman informed Kit Carson that his
appointment as lieutenant, made by President Polk,
was not confirmed by the United States Senate. Many
of Kit's friends, on hearing this, came to him and ad-

KIT AS A MAN OF HONOR. 321

vised him not to carry the dispatches any further, but,
instead, they counseled him to deliver them to the
commanding officer of the post he was at, advising him
that he was doing duty as an officer in the army and
yet was not recognized by Government. The language
used by Kit Carson on this occasion, in reply to his
friends, is so much to his credit and is so like the man,
that every American citizen ought to know it. It was
as follows : " I was intrusted with these dispatches,
having been chosen in California, from whence I come,
as the most competent person to take them through
safely. I would try to fulfill this duty, even if I knew
it would cost me my life. It matters not to me, while
I am performing this service for my country, whether
I hold the rank of a lieutenant in the United States
army, or am known merely as an experienced moun-
taineer. I have gained some little honor and credit
for the manner in which I have always conducted my-
self when detailed on any special and important busi-
ness, and I would on no account now wish to forfeit the
good opinion formed of me by a majority of my country-
men because the United States Senate did not deem it
proper to confer on me an appointment which I never
solicited, and one which, had I been confirmed, I would
have resigned at the termination of the war."

The reason why the wishes of the President were
not carried out by Congress in this instance, we know
not ; but, certain it is, that the lucky aspirant who
eventually received this office at the hands of the same
United States, had no credentials to present that could,
as far as merit was concerned, compare with those held
by Christopher Carson. It is fair to infer, that Kit
Carson had but few friends at court, though it cannot

322 HOW KIT TAKES DISAPPOINTMENTS.

for one moment be supposed that his name was not
well known at Washington, when for five long years he
had been the right-hand man of John C. Fremont in
his explorations. The privations and the hardships
which that commander and his guide willingly submit-
ted to during those years, it is impossible to describe
through reports. The whole newspaper press of the
United States, together with several volumes of well-
written books, have attempted it, but all have failed in
giving a true picture of the reality. These things
availed nothing when brought in contact with political
moves ; and Kit Carson was doomed to go by the board.
He had, however, met, during his eventful life, with too
many disappointments to be much chagrined at this,
and we find him, soon afterwards, making inquiries in
relation to the state of feeling among the Indians who
inhabited the country through which he had to pass.

The appointment of civilians to the responsible du-
ties of a command in the United States army has, of
late years, become, in many instances, very unfortu-
nate. Perhaps it is this that has taught our legislators
a lesson. But there is a truth which lies above this
difficulty. The severe ordeal necessary to be gone
through with at West Point, in order to make military
men of the proper standard, has very naturally raised
a jealousy between these two classes of men. This is
very healthy for the country, as it stimulates each to
noble exertions. In order to make the army less se-
cluded, it is necessary to appoint a certain percentage
of men from the walks of private life, and therefore
the most meritorious should be selected. West Point
men, as a body, are a great credit to our country ; and,
as a scientific corps, they cannot be surpassed ; but the

KIT AGAIN OX THE MARCH. 323

fact is incontrovertible that many, if not most of the
leading officers of the United States army, are self-
educated, and have risen to their exalted positions by
untiring industry and distinguished services. For fron-
tier work, men, to be capable of taking command, are
required to have great experience in Indian strategy,
and to become accustomed to endure privations and vi-
cissitudes. These cannot be taught by schools or books.
For these positions, those are best fitted who have been
trained to the mountains from earliest boyhood, and
where is the man in North America who has battled in
this service longer or more successfully than Christo-
pher Carson ? But Kit Carson could see no reason why
the votes of the United States Senators, refusing; to

' O

confirm the President's effort to reward him for his ser-
vices to his country, should cause him for one moment
to swerve from his duty. He pocketed at once his dis-
appointment, and went to work. Colonel Newby in-
formed him that the Camanches had of late been very
hostile, and that they were then roaming in war par-
ties, numbering from two to three hundred, scattered
along the old Santa Fe road, on which their depreda-
tions had, so far, been mostly committed. On learn-
ing this, Kit Carson determined to make a trail of
his own, and endeavor thus to avoid them. He re-
duced the number of his escort to ten trusty followers.
With them, he returned to Taos, and after a halt there
of two days, once more was on the march. At first, he
traveled to the northward, until he reached a tract of
country which these Indians seldom visited ; then,
changing his route by compass, he struck the Bijoux
River, which is a tributary of the Platte River, and fol-
lowed it down stream. At about twenty-five miles

324 KIT SETS OUT FOR WASHINGTON.

from the mouth of the Bijoux, he quit that stream, and
struck out diagonally across the prairies, and soon
reached the Platte itself, down which he journeyed
to Fort Kearney. Here he again changed his course
for the Republican Fork. On leaving this last-named
stream, he traveled direct to Fort Leavenworth, finally
reaching that post with his men and animals in fine
condition, for the journey had been as pleasant as could
have been expected. Here he left his escort, and set
out alone for Washington. After reaching the land of
railroads and steamboats, he was but a few days in
bringing the latter part of his journey- to an end.
Handing his dispatches to the proper authorities, Kit
Carson turned right about and made his way to New
Mexico, where he arrived in the month of October,
1848.

It will be seen, by following on a map the route
which Kit Carson planned on this occasion, that it was
very circuitous, and led him a great distance out of his
way. Indeed he was, at times, far beyond the roam-
ing grounds of the Camanches, but this was necessary.
He was not, however, free from danger, but was
obliged to be on the lookout for their allies, the
Kiowas, who are usually at war whenever the Caman-
che nation is. His trail led him through a country
which is celebrated as abounding in game, and also in
being well watered ; and last, but not least, the desid-
eratum of finding grass of a good quality, whenever he
desired it, was proved a valuable assistant on the march.
It may be well to mention here, that one of the most
curious of the phenomena of the plains, to the inex-
perienced traveler, are those mirages which, on every
clear day, are sure to meet and delude his eyes. So

A GRAND SIGHT. 325

wonderful are these deceptions, that often the vision
leads one to believe he is beholding, in the distance,
a beautiful city which is located on the banks of some
attractive lake. The outlines of the palaces, the spires
of cathedrals, and even the lesser buildings themselves,
all surrounded with trees, bearing luxuriant and green
foliage, together form an imaginary picture which
throws into the background any of the realities which
are the work of man. The shading is oftentimes very
captivating, and on it the traveler can be entertained
for hours, until a change in the rays of light or inter-
vening clouds, or else by approaching the delusion
itself, the magic scene fades away. A mirage and a
prairie on fire, seen by night, the one a delusion, the
other a fearful reality, are two of the grandest sights
to be seen in the far West ; we might add, on the
American continent.

19

326 DOMESTIC LIFE.

CHAPTER XIII.

Kit Carson at his Home — The Apache Indians become Hostile — An Ex-
pedition sent against them — It is not Successful — Another is organ-
ized, with which Kit Carson goes as Guide — Two Indian Chiefs
captured — Other Incidents of the Trip — Colonel Beall attempts to force
the Indians to give up Mexican Captives — Two Thousand Savages on
the Arkansas River — The Visit to them — Kit Carson emigrates and
builds a Ranche at Rayado — Description of the Valley — The Massa-
cre of a Santa Fe Merchant — His Wife is made Prisoner — The Expe-
dition sent to rescue her — The Indians overtaken — Bad Counsel and
Management — The Commanding Officer Wounded — Mrs. White's
Body found — Severe Snow Storm on the Plains — One Man frozen to
Death — Kit Carson returns to Rayado — The Occupation of a Farmer
resumed — The Apaches steal from the Settlers nearly all of their Ani-
mals— Kit Carson with thirteen others in Pursuit — The Surprise — A
running Fight — The Animals recovered — A gallant Sergeant and his
Fate — Kit Carson and Goodel go on a Trading Expedition to meet
California Emigrants at Fort Laramie — Humorous Adventures — The
Dangers that beset the Road to New Mexico — Hair-breadth Escape —
Arrival at Taos.

BEING comfortably housed in his own pleasant home
at Taos, Kit Carson made up his mind to treat himself
to a more lengthy stay there than he had for some
time enjoyed. While he was quietly enjoying the
pleasures of home, active operations were transpiring
about him, for the neighboring Indians had dug up the
tomahawk and buried the calumet, and were holding in
defiance the United States forces, which had been sta-
tioned in New Mexico to protect its inhabitants. Col-
onel Beall was at that time commanding officer of the
district, and had established his head-quarters at Taos.

DESCRIPTION OF THE APACHES. 327

The colonel, soon after assuming the command, being
a resolute man, saw that there was but one way to
deal with these Indians, and that was to bring them to
a strict account, and make them amenable for their
many crimes. This tribe of Apaches has given the
government of the United States almost as much
trouble as have the Seminoles in Florida, and I hesi-
tate not in saying, that before they are exterminated,
which is the only sure plan of making a peace with
them, they will have surpassed their red brethren of the
swamps of the South in the number and enormity of
their crimes. Before New Mexico came under the ju-
risdiction of the United States, the Apaches, for many
years, had committed all kinds of heinous offences
against the Mexicans ; and, for a period of ten years
after that event, these same savages were continually
on the war path, notwithstanding military expeditions,
one after another, were organized and sent out against
them. Their mountain retreats are almost inaccessible
to white men, while the Indians, apparently, play about
in them like rabbits. The amount of physical endur-
ance and the length of the journeys these red men can
make, appear very astonishing to one not accustomed
to them. The Apaches, as an Indian race, are not
wanting in bravery, the best evidence of which state-
ment is, that nearly all their warriors die in battle.
Their country is the healthiest in America. Besides
waging war against the whites and Mexicans, they
have their differences to settle with their neighboring
tribes, with whom they are punctilious in vindicating
their national honor. Colonel Beall commenced his
operations against these Indians by dispatching a jun-
ior officer, backed by a strong force, with orders to

328 A SAVAGE WAR CHIEF.

pursue, overtake, and chastise them. This expedition
started ; but, on coming to the mountains, the guides
reported that there was too much snow on them for
the command to pass through in safety ; so the under-
taking was given up, and the men were marched back
to Taos.

The most famous war chief of the Apaches, during
these troubles, was called by the Mexicans Chico Ve-
lasques, and his name, for many years, was a terror to
the surrounding country. His savage brutality knew
no bounds, and he was truly in his element, only when
he was tearing the bloody scalp from his half-lifeless
victim. He was the sworn enemy of the Americans
and Mexicans, and his hunting-knife was rarely clean
of human blood, until his cruel life, by the wise decrees
of an all-seeing Providence, was suddenly cut short.
He fought against his disease (small-pox) with that
rashness that had been his ruling spirit through life,
and thus ingloriously terminated his days. The pride
of this man was to strut through the Mexican towns
and gloat over his many crimes. To the gazing crowd,
he would point out the trophies of his murders, which
he never failed to have about him. To his fringed
leggins were attached the phalanges (or finger bones)
of those victims whom he had killed with his own
hands. On the one side, he proclaimed to his auditors,
were the fingers of the Mexicans, while on the other,
were the same tokens from the Americans ; and it gave
him great delight, ironically, to dwell upon the latter
name. With whip in hand, he struck out right and
left when anything displeased him. He met, one day,
more than his match, in the person of the famous Mex-
ican hunter, Armador Sanchez, of whom we have pre-

A BOLD INDIAN CHIEF. 329

viously spoken. The circumstances of this rencounter
were as follows : The bold Indian, with but few follow-
ers, was on a visit of pleasure to the Mexican town of
Culebro. He had agreed to a temporary peace, to suit
his convenience and ends ; and, taking advantage of
it, he made his appearance in the settlements, to lord
it over the peaceable inhabitants. After indulging in
a little fire-water, his wicked propensities could be con-
trolled no longer, and broke forth in minor cruelties.
At last he found himself in the house belonging to San-
chez, who was quietly conversing with his aged father,
for whom he had great veneration, and also with his
son. The Indian peremptorily demanded that some
whiskey should be given him. He was informed by
Sanchez that he did not keep the article. A second
demand was now made, with the threat that if it was
not forthcoming immediately, he would whip the per-
son who refused him. This had the effect of bringing
Sanchez to his feet, when the following colloquy in
Spanish, between him and the Indian, transpired :
" Chico Velasques, you have long been accustomed to
treat our people almost as you please. You have rob-
bed and murdered us at your will, notwithstanding we
have given you no cause thus to act. Had you asked
for bread, I would have given it to you, for the door
of my house is always open to the friendly red man ;
but, as for whiskey, you can have none from my hands.
Raise that whip but once to strike me, and I will dash
your brains out with this mass of lead." Suiting his
actions to his words, Sanchez drew forth from the pocket
of his hunting-shirt a slung shot that weighed nearly
four ounces, which he always carried to dispatch his
game with when it was in the last agonies of death.

330 DEFEATED.

With uplifted hand, the Indian hesitated; for, he knew
the character of the man who stood before him, as they
had hunted together during many moons gone by, on
the same mountains and on the same trail. At last,
using his own savage dialect, in order that his words
could not be understood by others about him, the sav-
age answered the Mexican hunter by saying, " that by
chance they might some day meet again ;" a threat
which fell harmlessly at the feet of Sanchez. As he
took his departure, the chief added, in Spanish, " I will
tell these things to Kit Carson," as if further attempt-
ing to intimidate the hunter ; but Sanchez knew that
his own and Carson's opinions were the same in regard
to this man; therefore he smiled at the rascal's knavery.
Chico Velasques was followed in his chieftainship by
Blanco, who did his utmost to walk in the footsteps of
his illustrious predecessor ; but, he was not so cunning,
and was less successful in his encounters with the
Americans and Mexicans, and therefore had not that in-
fluence with his tribe which the former possessed. Still,
he performed his quantum of mischief, and yet lives to
play his part in the great drama of Indian life. An
Apache Indian is rather small in stature, but everything
about him denotes symmetry and strength. His limbs
are almost straight, and their muscles are as hard as
iron. The elasticity of his movements, when in the
least excited, shows a high degree of physical training.
His coal-black eye exhibits an amount of treachery
rarely seen elsewhere, proving the truth of the Chinese
adage, that " the tongue may deceive, but the eye can
never play the rogue."

But to return to the narrative. The commanding
officer of the party sent out against these Indians, on

COLONEL BEALL TAKES COMMAND. 331

arriving again at Taos, reported to Colonel Beall that
the reason he had returned was because, at the present
time, it was impracticable to cross the mountains.
That brave and experienced officer replied, " that there
was no such word as impracticable in the soldier's vo-
cabulary, and that nothing ought to be impossible for the
First Regiment of United States Dragoons to accom-
plish." Suiting his actions to his words, Colonel Beall
reorganized the command, took charge of it himself, and
employed Kit Carson as his guide. When everything
was in proper trim, this expedition set out, and after
surmounting many obstacles and privations, finally
accomplished the feat of crossing the snow-clad moun-
tains, and after a long and fruitless search for the In-
dians, the men were obliged to turn about, because
their stock of provisions was running low. As the
command emerged through the "Sangre de Christo
Pass," on their return route, they came suddenly into
view of a village of Apaches. As soon as the Indians
were discovered the charge was sounded, but the animals
of the dragoons were too much jaded to obey the sum-
mons with the celerity wished for by their riders ; the
result was that, besides a considerable amount of plun-
der, only two persons were taken, but they, fortunately,
proved to be no less than two important chiefs. In or-
der to impress these Indians with the fairness and lib-
erality which his government wished to show to the
red men, after a long talk, in which the colonel exacted
promises of good behavior, he let the prisoners go.
They departed, to forget as quickly as possible all their
vows and promises ; for, seemingly, they will act in no
other way than as their own savage instinct teaches.
After this affair, Colonel Beall made a direct march for

332 INDIANS STEALING CHILDREN.

Taos, where he remained for some time, attending to
the ordinary duties of his garrison.

In the treaty between the United States and New
Mexico, entered into at the close of the Mexican War,
a clause was inserted binding the former to turn over to
the latter all the Mexican captives then held by the In-
dians who inhabited territory belonging to the first named
government. The carrying out of this provision of the
treaty involved the United States government in a
large and constant bill of expense. This was, undoubt-
edly, unavoidable, for even had the clause not been in-
serted in the treaty, the maintenance of about the same
frontier military forces wrould have been necessary. It
would have proved a difficult matter to carry out this
treaty to the letter.

If it had been so carried out to the letter, the Ca-
manches would have been great sufferers, for at least one-
third of the blood that now runs in their veins is Mexi-
can. During the last half century, and perhaps longer,
they have been accustomed to make annual visits into
the Mexican settlements of Old Mexico. The object
of these hostile incursions has ever been to load them-
selves with plunder. They steal all the horses that
fall in their way, and also take for captives as many
young children as they can lay hands on. The latter
are brought up in true Indian style, and, having cast off
all remembrance of their former habits and friends, they
gradually become the wild men of the plains. The fe-
male captives, on arriving at the suitable age, are married
to the young warriors of the tribe, and thus the true In-
dian stock, becoming amalgamated with the Mexico-
Spanish blood, is fast becoming degenerated. The
reason, therefore, why the fulfillment of this treaty

INDIANS IN COUNCIL. 333

would have militated strongly against the Camanche
Indians especially, is clearly apparent.

In the following February, Colonel Beall learned
that on the Arkansas River there were congregated a
large body of Indians, who had quite a number of Mexi-
cans in bondage. He felt it to be his duty to visit
these savages and endeavor to have them deliver up
all such captives, using peaceable means to accomplish
this result in the first instance ; and, should they fail,
he made up his mind to resort to more forcible and
potent arguments. With this determination, and with
two companies of dragoons to back him and Kit Car-
son as his guide, he set out on his mission. In due
time he reached the Arkansas, and there found congre-
gated four tribes of Indians, who numbered in the vicin-
ity of twro thousand souls. Their object in thus coming
together was to have a grand council and lay out plans
for the future, and also to meet their agent. This agent
informed the colonel that, considering the present state
of ill feeling existing among these Indians towards the
whites, it would be useless to make the demand for the
prisoners ; and as to using force, it would almost cer-
tainly prove a failure, when such a large number of
well armed warriors were arrayed against him. It re-
quired a great deal of persuasion to bring the colonel
around to this mode of thinking ; but, at last he yielded
to the advice of his friends and concluded to make no
demonstration against the Indians at the present time,
concluding, as his anger cooled, that it was the wisest
policy to await a more favorable opportunity, when a
treaty could be made with them, in which there could
be an article inserted that would stipulate for the res-
toration of the captives.

334 THE VALLEY OF RAYADO.

In parting with these red men without accomplishing
the main object for which they came, both officers and
men felt that their labors had not been entirely thrown
away. Their presence must have left lasting impres-
sions on the minds of the savages, in showing them
that they no longer had poorly clad and poorly armed
Mexican soldiers to deal with.

On arriving again in Taos, Kit Carson returned to
his home to ruminate over what was best for him to
take up as a business for the future. He revolved in
his thoughts his past career, and, in the end, finished
the mental study by resolving to give up his roaming
life, as he rightly considered that now was the time, if
ever, that he should be making a substantial home for
himself and family, before old age crept upon and dis-
abled him from the undertaking. About the time that
he was in this frame of mind, his old mountaineer
friend, Maxwell, was about going to a pretty little val-
ley, called by the Mexicans Rayado. Maxwell pro-
posed to Kit Carson to join him in the enterprise of
building a ranche on the site which he had selected.
This offer the latter gladly accepted. Rayado would
have, long before, been settled by the Mexicans, had
they not been deterred by its exposure, and consequent
inviting position for Indian depredations. The valley
is about fifty miles east from Taos, and, for its scenery,
cannot be surpassed by anything of the kind in America.
Standing at the head of it on a blunt bluff, you look
down and out on the prairies, and nothing can be more
enchanting than the view that is thus presented. On
each side there are lofty hills, which, when green with
grass and foliage, add a magic beauty to the scene.
Through the valley, as if it had been intended for its

KIT CARSON AT HOME. 335

dividing line, runs a broad mountain stream, the banks
of which are now metamorphosed into beautiful fields.

We stop here to undeceive the reading public con-
cerning an idea which has gained currency by the ex-
traordinary imaginative writings of novelists. These
trashy fictions represent the western plains, or prairies,
as flower-beds. In this, a great mistake has become
prevalent. A traveler often pursues his way over them
for many days without seeing anything to interrupt
the continuity of green grass except it be the beautiful
road over which he is journeying. Near the slopes of
the mountains and on the river banks the remark will
apply. There, fields of wild flowers are often found
growing in great luxuriance.

The settlement was soon after commenced by Kit
Carson and Maxwell, and, as now completed, is really
a beautiful spot. It is located about midway down the
valley. Among its several houses there were two which
were more conspicuous than the rest. In the finest of
these two, thevowner of which took great pains and
spent much valuable time with its construction, lived
Maxwell, whose honest pride was being the master of
a model farm. In the residence next most to be ad-
mired in Rayado, Kit Carson sometimes sojourned.

The mansion which belonged to Maxwell would be
an ornament to any country. At one time it was used
as a garrison for American troops, and on it the soldiers
made many improvements. It was built one story
high, in the shape of a hollow square, and of the size
of an ordinary block in a city. Around the whole ran
a fine veranda. With its lofty ceilings, large and airy
rooms, and its fine yard in the centre of the square,
which was well stored with its fowls, pigeons, and other

336 LORDS OF THE MANOR.

pet animals, with appropriate kennels ; with antlers of
noble buck and elk ; haras of venison, buffalo meat, wild
turkeys, etc., and near by a fine vegetable garden;
altogether, it presented a picture of sumptuous living
rarely seen within the pale of civilization. Maxwell
counted his steeds and cattle by hundreds, while his
flocks of sheep were enumerated by thousands. Near by
stood Kit Carson's ranche, which, though more modest,
yet, when the hunter occupied it, in dead game and
comfort, it fully rivaled its compeer. Around these
two hunters lived a handful of Mexican friends, who
were either engaged in agricultural pursuits for them-
selves, or else in the employ of the " lords of the
manor," Carson and Maxwell.

In this his residence at Rayado, Kit Carson was only
kept from spending his whole time by business for
which his tastes were more suited. Soon after the
commencement of the settlement, and while he was
engaged in his vocation as farmer, news reached him
that the Apaches had been committing' a most wicked
murder, the details of which are horrible in the ex-
treme. A merchant by the name of White, who was
engaged in business at Santa Fe, had been into the
United States for the purpose of purchasing goods.
With his train of wagons and his small escort of men,
traveled his private carriage, in which there were, as
passengers, his accomplished but unfortunate lady and
her only child. On arriving at a point where he
anticipated no further danger, Mr. White started on
ahead of his caravan, in order that he might reach
Santa Fe as soon as possible, and thus relieve his family
from the privations of camp life. He had proceeded
but a few miles when he was attacked by some Indians

TERRIBLE MASSACRE BY APACHES. 337

who had concealed themselves in the rocks on either
side of the road. The savages, as the carriage neared
their hiding-place, fired with such accuracy of aim
that they killed, by their first volley, all of the men
who were with the carriage before they were aware of
the danger which surrounded them. Mrs. White and
her child were reserved for a worse fate. They were
carried off into captivity. The child proved to be a
source of annoyance to the blood-thirsty savages, and
its angel spirit was released from earth by their cruel
ferocity. Before the eyes of its captive mother the
fatal tomahawk was raised, and by one dastard blow
its keen edge was made to mingle with its brains. The
horrid work failed not to bring the bitter woes and
anguish of despair to the breast of the unhappy mother.
It was then thrown into Red River, which was the
stream nearest to the scene of the bloody tragedy.

Red River and its great canon has always been to the
Apache Indians a favorite haunt of refuge, either when
pursued, or after the committal of some terrible crime.
There are several streams in the West called by this
name. The one here referred to is the Red River of
the plains, and is one of the upper tributaries of the
Arkansas River. In olden times it went by the name
of the Canadian River. Several sharp conflicts have
occurred on this stream between the Apache Indians
and parties of United States troops. It has also formed
the stage of many an Indian tragedy in conflicts be-
tween the mountain Indians and the Indians of the
plains. Quite recently attempts have been made by
whites to use its banks for grazing purposes, but
every enterprise which has been set on foot to estab-
lish ranches in its vicinity, have been warmly contested

338 WATKINS LEROUX.

by the Comanches, who have killed several persons
who have dared to essay such attempt.

The intelligence of this terrible butchery having
been carried to New Mexico, a command was organ-
ized in hot haste, which had for its object the immedi-
ate rescue of Mrs. White from her bondage, worse
than death. Two men went with this party as guides,
named Leroux and Fisher. Watkins Leroux was an
old and famous trapper and mountaineer, whose repu-
tation and skill as a guide in the far West, was second
only to Kit Carson's. A few of his warm partisans,
who were ever very warm in their praise of their
friend, at one time considered him superior even to
Kit Carson ; but, when the skill of the two men came
to be tried in the same cause, the palm was yielded to
Kit Carson. Leroux guided several parties over new
routes with meritorious success. His knowledge of
Indian character was nearly equal to that possessed
by Kit Carson, and he was endowed with a wonderful
amount of forethought and prudence; but, in an Indian
fight, or on any great emergency, his faculties appeared
to be less active, and his judgment less certain, than
those exhibited by the great Nestor of the Rocky
Mountains. It is a well-understood maxim, that
there are more or less narrow-minded persons who
are ready and eager to pull down any and every rising
man; and, for this purpose, such must choose a cham-
pion. Kit Carson's association with Colonel Fremont
had won him so great renown, as a mountaineer and
guide, that an opposition party was formed to detract
from his merits and capabilities. Leroux, owing to his
popularity, was chosen for the leader of this party, and
whenever the name of Kit Carson was mentioned, the

A COMMON BROTHERHOOD. 339

friends of Leroux always saw fit to compare the deeds
of the two men together. This strife, of course, could
not be lasting, and now is almost forgotten. It is a
just tribute of praise due to both of these brave men,
to say that they did not sanction, by word or deed,
either party to the controversy. They could but ap-
preciate each other, and as friends, ever felt elated, the
one at the success of the other, and vice versa. They
mutually considered that every fresh laurel of glory
added a measure-full of honor and renown to their
common brotherhood of mountaineers, among whom
the good reputation of their cloth was as dear as it
was among the knights attached to the orders of chiv-
alry. Their ranches were located in the same valley,
and in the same town, where, having lived together
as fast friends in life, found their last resting-places
in the same grave-yard. Few men can say aught
against the character of Watkins Leroux, but in this
estimate of his actions, we are only reviving what has
already been given to the public.

With Leroux and Fisher employed as guides, the ex-
pedition for the rescue of Mrs. White set out on its
route, and, on its journey, passed by Rayado. Kit
Caison immediately proffered his services for the ex-
pedition. They were accepted, but, much to the sur-
prise of many of the party, instead of being at once
placed in the position which his great experience de-
manded, he was assigned to an inferior position under
the command of Leroux. Kit Carson, however, was
too good a soldier to exhibit the conduct which the lit-
tle buzzing talkers so anxiously looked for from their
supposed kindling of his jealousy, and quietly took
the post assigned him, eager to lend a helping hand,

340 A MISTAKE IN JUDGMENT.

which might even thus be instrumental in saving a
valuable life. It is proper, however, that we should
add, that this slight upon his reputation and experi-
ence wounded his feelings. But, especially, as the life
in jeopardy belonged to a woman, he would not, and
did not, think of allowing his actions to partake of his
feelings. We have reason to believe that this slight,
at least on the part of the commanding officer of the
expedition, was not intentional. That gentleman was
an honorable man, and would not have committed an
act which he considered would have resulted otherwise
than for the best; and, in appointing Leroux his chief
counselor, he had selected a good man, but, one whom
he afterwards learned, to his sorrow, was every way the
subordinate of Kit Carson in managing Indian affairs.

A few years subsequent to the transpiring of this
murder and the skirmish which succeeded it, we trav-
eled near to the spot under the same officer who had
the command of the above expedition. He reverted
to the affair with much feeling, and from his actions
and remarks, we could plainly see that his sympathies
had been, perhaps, too greatly enlisted in behalf of his
unfortunate countrywoman, and that his better judg-
ment had been overcome by giving way to the urgent
advice of others. If it had been a battle where either
scientific attainments or manly courage could have suc-
ceeded, he would, doubtless, have been himself, and
carried everything through with success. This is no
mere assertion, for his long and well tried military ca-
reer warrants us in this belief. We have the greatest re-
spect for this gentleman, and consider him a very able
man ; but, as a biographer, we are called upon to nar-
rate the facts as they come to us. If he had succeeded,

STIMULATING SIGNS. 341

everything would have been considered as well done;
but he failed, and the cause of his failure is plain.

The party being thus constituted, and no delay hav-
ing been occasioned by any unforeseen accident, the
party arrived in good season at the place where the
cold-blooded murder had been consummated. Around
the spot, there were strewn, in great confusion, boxes,
trunks, pieces of harness, and many other things, which
had belonged to the unfortunate party, and which the
villains did not fancy and carry away with them. The
path taken by these Indians was soon found, and on it,
the command traveled in full chase for twelve days,
without seeing the outline of a savage. Carson de-
scribes this as being the most difficult trail to follow he
remembers ever to have undertaken, for the rascally
Apaches, on breaking up their camps, would divide into
parties of two and three, and then scatter over the vast
expanse of the prairies to meet again at some precon-
certed place, where they knew water could be had. In
several of these camps the pursuers found remnants of
dress and other articles, that were known to have be-
longed to Mrs. White. By these signs, they were led
to believe that she still lived. Although these things
would have been trifles on ordinary occasions, yet, at
the present time, they were the cause of stimulating
the white men to their utmost exertions ; and, as they
grew fresher, the excitement among the party in-
creased. At last the camp, and even the persons of
the savages, became visible to the foremost of the pur-
suers ; and, among the first to get a glimpse of them
was Kit Carson. At the time the discovery was made,
Kit Carson was considerably in advance of most of the
men. Turning to those near him, he shouted to have

o
20

342 CULPABLE BLUNDERING.

the command come on as fast as possible, for he saw at
once that there was no time to be lost in consultation
as to the best mode of assaulting the Indians. They,
already, were in commotion, and were making hurried
preparations to decamp. Riding on at full speed for
some distance, Kit Carson again turned his head and
saw, to his dismay, that he was not followed ; but in-
stead, the command had halted. The cause of this
curious order being given at such a precarious mo-
ment, was, as he afterwards learned, brought about by
the advice of the chief guide, who told the command-
ing officer that the Indians wished to have a parley.
On seeing what was transpiring behind him, Kit Car-
son had no alternative but to rein up his horse also ;
for, to ride on alone into the midst of the savages, would
have been unjustifiable rashness, and might, perhaps,
have destroyed the plans his superior officers were con-
cocting. So, he stood paralyzed and confounded at the
inactivity of his companions. Just about this time, a
bullet fired from the Indian camp, struck the command-
ing officer in the breast, and bent him forward. Those
around him, for a little while, supposed that he had re-
ceived a mortal wound. Still, he retained his seat in
the saddle, but could not speak. Thus again was pre-
cious time lost, as the party, during this time, were vir-
tually without a leader, and did not seem to be inclined
to make one. Fortunately for this officer, just before
he received the shot, he had taken off his thick
buckskin gauntlets and crowded them into a breast
pocket. The ball had struck this bundle ; and, as its
force was somewhat expended by the distance it had
come, it was unable to more than penetrate the mass
and contuse the soft parts of the chest.

MURDER OF MRS WHITE. 343

This accident assisted in preventing this well known
military man from inflicting such a blow on these sav-
ages, that they would have been long in recovering
from it. He had undoubtedly seen, soon after he had
halted, that Kit Carson was right in recommending a
charge ; for, as quick as he recovered sufficiently from
his injury to be able to speak, he commanded the men
to make the attack, and leave him to himself. Unfor-
tunately, the time had passed to accomplish the de-
sired effect when this order was given, for, on arriving
among the lodges, the men found only one warrior. He>
as a matter of course, was slain. The body of Mrs.
White was also found in camp. Life was extinct, though
her soul had but just flown to heaven. There was
still warmth in the corpse when the men first discov-
ered it. An arrow had pierced her breast. Evidently
she had been conscious that friends were near, and was
trying to make her escape when the missile of death
produced the fatal wound.

Much has been written and said about this sad affair,
and much unjust calumny has been heaped upon the
head of the leader of the expedition ; therefore, the
opinion of Kit Carson, in reference to the matter, may
not be out of place ; hence, we give it word for word.
" I am certain," said Carson, " that if the Indians had
been charged immediately on our arrival, Mrs. White
would have been saved. At first, the savages were
much confused at our approach, and I do not hesitate
to say that she saw us as quick as any one of the red-
skins did, for it undoubtedly was the all-absorbing topic
of her mind that her rescue would be attempted by
her friends and countrymen. On seeing us coming, she
had attempted to run towards us, when she was shot

344 BRUTALITY, HARDSHIPS AND VICISSITUDES.

down. Had she been liberated, she could not have long
survived the brutality, hardships and vicissitudes she
had experienced. Words cannot describe the bitter
cup that she had been obliged to drink during her cap-
tivity. It was the will of Providence, that, having
suffered like a martyr on earth, she should be taken to
himself before we arrived to where her remains lay ;
upon coming upon which, we shed tears at thus being
defeated in what had been our cherished hopes, even
had it cost some of us our own lives."

By this language it can be readily seen that Kit Car-
son regretted the failure of this attempt made to rescue
Mrs. White as deeply as any one, either in the expedi-
tion, or among her friends at the home from which she
had so recently, in health and happiness, been torn.
" Yet I cannot," said Kit Carson, " blame the command-
ing officer, or the other guide, for the action they took
in the affair. They evidently did as they thought best,
but I have no doubt that they now can see, that if my
advice had been taken, the life of Mrs. White might
have been spared for at least a short period." This
expedition was far from being a failure, for the Indians
lost all their provisions, camp equipage and a few ani-
mals. Many of these savages ran away, leaving behind
them everything they possessed in the world, except
the scanty amount of clothing they had on.

For six miles they were pursued over the level prai-
ries, when another brave was killed, several wounded
and three children taken prisoners. The horses belong-
ing to the expedition broke down, one by one, until at
last, the chase had to be given over, after which the
Indians made short work in getting out of sight.
Among the trinkets and baggage found in the captured

A TERRIBLE SNOW-STORM. 345

camp, there was a novel which described Kit Carson as
a great hero who was able to slay Indians by scores.
This book was shown to Kit and was the first of the
kind he had ever seen. After glancing at it he made
the remark, " that perhaps Mrs. White, to whom it be-
longed, knowing he lived not very far off, had prayed
to have him make his appearance and assist in freeing
her. He wished that it might have been so, but con-
soled himself by thinking that he had performed his
duty." While on their route back to Taos, the com-
mand was overtaken by a terrible snow-storm which
was accompanied by a high wind ; as there were no
hills to break its force, it amounted almost to a tornado.
The snow was driven with such force into the men's
faces that they became nearly blind, and were bewil-
dered as to the course they should travel. During its
continuance, they wandered about on the prairies.
Finally they were so fortunate that at last they reached
a clump of timber in the neighborhood of Las Vegas
in New Mexico ; but, during the tramp, one man had
been frozen to death and others had come near to
perishing.

After arriving in the settlements, the party learned
from some friendly Indians, that the Apaches had suf-
fered severely by being exposed to this same storm,
and the report was that many of them had since died
in consequence thereof. From this, it would appear as
if an all-seeing power had protected the whites, while
it had dealt out a fearful judgment upon these wicked
savages, who have more than vague ideas of the sin of
murdering, in cold blood, innocent people, sages and
philanthropists far distant and safe in great cities to the
contrary notwithstanding. There are no set of men

346 INDIAN LAWYERS.

in the world who can draw the line between right and
wrong based on its first principle, and taught to them
by the great lessons of nature, as can many tribes of
Indians. Among themselves, and especially among
their individual bands, in regard to all crimes, the In-
dian has his moral code of laws which, in many re-
spects, is not surpassed by those of his pale-faced
brother. They have their civil chief, who is responsi-
ble for the peace and good order of the camp ; and,
before him, are tried, by the lawyers of the tribe; all
cases worthy of notice. If the parties are found guilty,
the offender or offenders are summarily dealt with —
therefore, " with his untutored mind," in his intercourse
with white men, the Indian is not altogether excusable
in committing crime.

There are many people who believe that the Indians,
as a race, have been greatly sinned against, and to sus-
tain their views, have called in the assistance of flowery-
written romances and the high-sounding language of
prose and poetry. Much of this novelty and interest
rubs off by coming in contact with the savage as he
really exists. Admiration often changes, in this case,
into distrust and even enmity. It is natural that this
should be so, for mere book education biases the mind
always, either for or against, and therefore it is not
strange that in the far West we should often meet
with men who unhesitatingly declare that the red man,
if capable, is unwilling to entertain in his character
even one redeeming trait; but, on investigating their
individual case, we find that they are but superficial
observers, who are prone to find fault with everything
that does not exactly suit their tastes. It is necessary
to spend a whole life with Indians, in order to judge

A TERRIFIC SNOW-STORM

THE NOBLE RED MAN AS HE *IS. 349

them without prejudice. The Great Spirit has en-
dowed his red children with reason, the same in qual-
ity as possessed by any other race, but their habits,
mode of life and experience is of such a kind, that,
wrhen taken as a whole, they are truly original. Look-
ing upon this class of people, either in the light of an
enthusiast or as a detractor, cannot be otherwise than
wrong ; for, as is usually the case, the truth lies be-
tween the extremes.

To be caught in one of these winter storms on the
plains is a very serious affair ; and one only needs to
have been through a fearful gale on the seas to render
him dubious of which to choose. To the faint heart,
death seems inevitable in either case ; and, to such a
one, a choice between a watery grave or a bed of snow,
when hunger and cold are his attendants, while life is
gradually ebbing out, is a question in which the con-
trast appears small. During many of the winter
months, a life on the prairies becomes a necessity to
the frontiersman, and not a pleasure. The force and
power of the winds on the level earth of the far West
are beyond human imagination. The snow-storms
there, at the proper period of the year, are terrific in
their grandeur. The quantity of the snow that falls is
not so much a matter of notice as the force with which it
comes, being almost blinding in its effects and requiring
all the physical powers of both man and beast to meet
and contend against it. It but seldom happens, dur-
ing one of theso seasons, that the roads are so blocked
up by snow that human ingenuity cannot evercome the
obstacle ; for the wind drifts the snow, rendering the
path clear at intervals which vary in their area. The
poor mail-parties were the ones who experienced this

350 • DANGEROUS TRAVELING.

undesirable life ; and, in their attempts to make their
journeys, they were often driven near to death's door,
although every precaution was taken to make the
transit safe. The mules of these parties were well
protected with India rubber coverings which were
lined with blankets, and, so snugly were they made to
fit every available part of the animal, that it seemed
almost impossible for cold to touch them. Corn and
fodder, to a limited extent, was transported; but, even
with these precautions, the mules now and then suc-
cumbed to the cold. The man covered his body with
warm clothing, and carried with him furs and robes
enough to be seemingly able to defy the storms. He
could provide himself only with a scanty amount of
fuel, for his means of conveyance were very contracted.
When overtaken by the storms, which may last several
days, he was rendered almost powerless, and was at
the tender mercies of the gale; for he could not
make fires, and without them he might perish. This
was not true of every trip made across the plains
during the winter, for, like on the ocean, the pas-
sage was frequently gone through with the encoun-
tering of but little real suffering. One thing in favor
of making the journey at this season of the year was,
the probability of not seeing an Indian. They usually,
during the cold months, stow themselves away in their,
comparatively speaking, warm mountain retreats. In
crossing the plains, small parties found the item of
meeting Indians to be of considerable importance, as,
even in the time of peace, they were very exacting
and troublesome, demanding that provisions should be
given them, by way of toll. To refuse was apt to
bring down their ire, when they would usually help

QUESTIONABLE RECOMMENDATIONS. 351

themselves to whatever suited their fancy They are
very partial to sugar, which, when they cannot say
the word in English, they call " Shoog." If not under-
stood, they make their wants known by the Indian sign
of touching with the index linger the tip of the tongue,
thereby indicating the sweetness of the article. Many
of them come armed with a piece of paper, which testi-
monial of good behavior they have obtained from their
agent or forced from some traveler. As they cannot
read, it makes but little difference what is the sense
of the writing, so long as it is bond Jide penmanship.
I once saw one of these documents which the owner
prized very highly, but, had he known the purport of
this paper, he would have sighed for the scalp of his
kind friend who wrote it. The language was as follows:
"Crossing of the Arkansas," etc. " The bearer, Young
Antelope, is a good Indian and will not take anything
out of his reach. This is to warn traders and travelers
to beware of his race, breed, seed, and generation." It
was signed evidently with a fictitious name, and an-
swered the purpose for which it was intended, which
was to get rid of an ugly customer and to put strangers
on their guard against the man who carried it.

On arriving at Taos, Kit Carson left this party and
proceeded to Rayado, where he was, soon after, actively
engaged in farming pursuits.

During the subsequent winter, a detachment of ten
dragoons, under the command of Sergeant Holbrook,
was stationed at Rayado to protect the little settle-
ment. In order that their animals might have the
benefit of the good grass which was to be found in the
mountains at a place where but little snow fell, the
settlers established there a herder's ranche, posting two

352 AN EXCITING CHASE.

men there to look after and guard the property. The
cold months were passed in peace and quiet, but, in the
spring, the marauding Apaches came, and, after wound-
ing both of the herders, stole all the gentle animals,
including both horses and mules. One of the wounded
men made his way to Rayado, notwithstanding his in-
juries, and gave information of what had happened to
himself and companion. On learning these facts, Kit
Carson, the dragoons, and three of the settlers immedi-
ately proceeded to the ranch. They arrived there
just as the shades of night began to fall. Nothing
could be attempted until the dawn of another day,
consequently a camp was ordered and duly arranged.
As the first faint beam of light gilded anew the moun-
tain tops, the party were up and moving. They soon
found the trail made by the thieves, and commenced a
sharp pursuit. The pace at which they traveled became
so rapid, that, at the distance of only twenty-five miles
from the spot where they first struck the trail, Indians
were discovered moving on the prairie a long way in
advance. There remained nothing but an open chase.
Orders were issued to accelerate even the hitherto
rapid march. Each man resumed his exertions to put
his horse to his best speed. The chase was growing
intensely exciting when four of the animals belong-
ing to the pursuers gave out, ridden down. Their
riders were the most unhappy of any of the party
at this circumstance, for it precluded even the chances
of engaging in the expected affray. Leaving the
four men behind, the remainder of the party pushed
on in the pursuit, and every bound made by their
horses brought them nearer to their foes. After
several hours of this hard riding, they came near

A RUNNING FIGHT. 353

enough to the warriors to count their numbers. Their
force consisted of twenty well armed and equipped
Indians. They showed no fear of the party pursuing
them, but clung to their stolen property with such per-
tinacity that they allowed themselves to be overtaken.
A running fight was immediately commenced, which
became most exciting as well as dangerous to the par-
ticipants, but all the more exciting because thus danger-
ous. The Indians were all skillful horsemen, and fought
with great dexterity. Their animals being compara-
tively fresh, in this respect they had the advantage.
Notwithstanding this fact, the pursuing party adminis-
tered to them a severe lesson. Five of the rascally
Indians were killed and several wounded, while all of
the stolen animals, with the exception of four, were
overtaken and recaptured. The whole of this pursuit,
and the running fight which terminated so successfully,
was accomplished under the advice of Kit Carson.
Each man in the pursuing party felt that the simple
fact that Kit Carson's eagle eye and experienced hand
watched and guided their movements, was a guaranty
of certain and ample success. Hence, the labor of the
long chase and the demands upon their personal skill,
activity, and courage, made by the necessities of the
fight, were all met with that kind of readiness and
determination which seldom fails to make the soldier
invincible. Every man in that party knew well that
an Indian chase, with Kit Carson for a leader, meant
fight and win success or die.

In referring to this adventure, Kit Carson, when
speaking of the gallant men who accompanied him,
said : " They all proved themselves to be men of the
very best material."

354 A DESPERATE CONFLICT.

Unfortunately, two of this gallant party have since
fallen by the hands of these same Apache warriors.
One of these was Sergeant Holbrook, a brave man, a
skillful soldier and a noble friend. He was one who
adorned his profession of arms and who was an honor
to the country whose uniform he wore. He was killed
at the well known battle of Ceneguilla, while bravely
fighting against overwhelming odds. This battle was
fought in New Mexico in the year 1854. In it, a com-
pany of United States dragoons were worsted and cut
to pieces by a greatly superior force of these Indians,
who succeeded in drawing them into an ambuscade.

The other person referred to as having been since
killed by this tribe of Apaches was a brave and expe-
rienced trapper, well known throughout the range of
Indian depredations as a fearless and dangerous adver-
sary. His name was William New. He was literally
murdered at Rayado by these Apaches. This occurred
only a few months after he had formed one of the party
to pursue and recover the animals stolen from their
ranch. When he was attacked, New was engaged till-
ing the soil on his own farm. The rascally Indians sur-
rounded him before he became aware of their presence.
Having an empty rifle with him, he succeeded, for some
time, in keeping his assailants at bay, by pretending
that the piece was loaded and pointing it at the fore-
most warrior as if he intended to fire it. The savages,
however, finally discovered the truth and immediately
made a rush upon him. A most desperate fight ensued,
for William New, even thus defenceless, was not one
who would yield up his life without a struggle. He
made almost superhuman efforts to effect his escape,
using the rifle as a club ; wound after wound was given

DEATH OF A BRAVE MOUNTAINEER. 355

him in rapid succession in return for the desperate
blows which he dealt with the rifle. His efforts, how-
ever, proved futile. Gradually the red blood was gath-
ered from his body and drank up by the soil to which
he looked for the sustenance of himself and family, un-
til finally, he sank upon the ground fainting from its
loss, literally covered from head to foot with frightful
wounds. Thus died one more of the sparse race of
original mountaineers, now fast passing away, bravely
meeting the fate that has hitherto usually awaited this
band of fearless men.

We again turn to the adventures of Kit Carson. On
the fifth day of May, 1850, accompanied by an old
mountaineer named Timothy Goodel, he started with
fifty head of mules and horses for Fort Laramie. This
fort is distant from Rayado, over five hundred miles.
The object which the two men had in view was to trade
their animals with the emigrants who were, at that time,
thronging the overland route to California. The jour-
ney was safely accomplished, Kit Carson and Goodel
arriving at the fort, with their animals all in good con-
dition, sometime in the following June. They remained
here about one month, disposing of their animals at
good bargains.

A few rather amusing anecdotes have had their rise
connected with this visit which Kit Carson made to
Fort Laramie. Among several other incidents the fol-
lowing is somewhat laughable, and seems to us worth
relating. Among the line of emigrants then on the
road, the report was circulated for some distance back
that the famous Kit Carson was at the fort. The re-
sult was that every man, woman and child, as fast as
they arrived at the fort, were eager to gratify their cu-

356 :IIT CARSON LIONIZED.

riosity by a sight of the man whose name and exploits
had already been the theme of many a conversation
among them. If ever Yankee, or American (which is
the more appropriate term, we will not attempt to de-
cide) inquisitiveness was exhibited, it certainly could
be then seen at Fort Laramie. The large majority of
those who were thus anxious to see the famous guide,
were led astray by the descriptions which they had
heard and read, and picked out some powerfully built
trader who chanced to present himself, especially if the
man was tastefully dressed in a hunting shirt, with buck-
skin leggins, and whose appearance indicated ferocity.
Of this kind of personages there were quite a number
present at the fort. Usually they would accost the
man whom they had thus selected. Sometimes, if their
address was appropriate and the humor of the person
accosted so inclined, they would get put right, but more
frequently they were left to enjoy and cherish their
mistake, or were made the subject of a joke. Among
the rest there came along quite a rough looking indi-
vidual fresh from the canebrakes of Arkansas. He,
also, was seeking to place his eyes upon Kit Carson.
Accidentally, or intentionally, it matters not for the
story, he was directed to the place where the bond fide
Kit Carson stood. His powerful frame and determined
looks, as he put his inquiries, made those inquired of,
apparently, cautious how they perpetrated a joke upon
the Arkansas man. At last, standing face to face with
Kit Carbon, he thus interrogated him. " I say, stran-
ger, are you Kit Carson ? " Being modestly answered
in the affirmative, he stood a moment, apparently quite
taken aback at beholding the short, compact and mild-
looking man that stood before him. Evidently his beau

ASSUMED MEEKNESS. 357

ideal of the great mountaineer did not compare with
the man whom he thus faced. This momentary hesi-
tation resulted in the conviction that he was being de-
ceived. The conviction, at last, took form in words.
Foiling an immense quid of his beloved Indian weed
from one cheek to its brother, he said, " Look 'ere,
stranger, you can't come that over me, any how. You
ain't the kind of Kit Carson I am looking for."

This was too much for Kit Carson to hear without
treating the person addressed to his beau ideal of Kit
Carson ; so, suppressing a laugh, and assuming a very
meek expression of countenance, as if he was afraid to
impose upon the Arkansas man, he quietly pointed to
a powerfully-built trader, who chanced to be passing
near by, dressed in true prairie style. The Arkansas
emigrant followed around after the trader until, seem-
ingly, he was perfectly satisfied that he had, at last,
found the famous person of whom he had heard so
many wonderful stories narrated. After gazing at the
man for some time he departed, no doubt with one more
perfect description of what sort of personage Kit Car-
son was.

From the time Kit Carson's name began to be
heralded throughout the world up to the time of his
death, impostors presented themselves in various cities,
and, acting on the credulity of the people, palmed
themselves off as the individual of whom we write ;
but, from the perusal of this work, it can be seen how
seldom the real Kit Carson has enjoyed the luxuries of
civilized life. It is in this way many persons have
gathered wrong impressions concerning Kit Carson.

Some years ago a stranger one day presented him-
self in the quiet town of Taos, and, being a fellow of

358 A MAN OF IMPORTANCE.

words, he soon let everybody there know his business,
both past and present. In one of the principal stores
of the town there happened to be congregated a small
party of friends, among whom was Kit Carson. They
were talking of the important affairs of their section
of country, when this strange individual entered. His
familiarity with all things soon gave him an introduc-
tion, and, after a short conversation, a wag present was
tempted, by the fellow's boasting, to quiz him. Ad-
dressing the traveler, he asked : " What part of the
world, pray sir, do you come from?"

The answer was prompt.

"I kum from the Cheyenne Nation. I've been
living with them Injins for several years. Indeed, I
consider myself more of an Injin than a white man."

The conversation then turned upon other matters.
The fellow made some remarks which led the party to
believe that he was entirely unacquainted with the Chey-
enne Indians, or any other Indians. When he was appar-
ently off of his guard, the wag resumed his questioning.

" I presume, stranger, you accompany the Cheyennes
when they go out on war parties, as you say that you
have turned warrior."

The reply was :

" When they go out 'gainst t'other Injins, I do ; but
when they hunt white men's hair, I am allowed to stay
behind. This was one of the stip'lations when I took
a squaw and jined the tribe."

" Oh, ho ! that is the way you manage ! " exclaimed
the wag.

" Yes ! and I've bin the means of saving some scalps
fur my race, too, for the Injins believe in me, they do,"
continued the fellow.

BAREFACED FALSEHOODS. 359

The wag resumed —

" Perhaps, stranger, you have heard of Kit Carson.
It is said he is on the prairies somewhere, either dead
or alive."

The fellow answered :

" You've got me ! Know Kit Carson ! I reckon I
do. It is strange that you should ask me that, when
Kit was the very last man I laid eyes on as I left our
tribe."

Here the fellow lowered his voice and said, as if ex-
emplifying sympathy :

" Poor Kit was in a very bad way one hour before
we parted. The fact is, you know, he'd bin playin' the
papers (meaning gambling) and had lost everythingc
However, I made him happy by giving him my gun
and powder-horn. With them, you know, he will git
along anywhere ! "

All hands, except Kit Carson, joined in the laugh at
the fellow's impudence. Kit Carson's patience was ex-
hausted in listening to the barefaced falsehoods which
the man was uttering, so, with some excuse, he left the
party. The fellow was unapprised of the farce which
he had been acting, and, shortly after, left the town,
believing that he had acquitted himself as became a
hero.

By way of episode, and while story-telling keeps its
hold on our pen, we may as well relate a short anec-
dote, which, though it does not form any close connec-
tion with this part of the narrative, seems to illustrate
the practical jokes which are sometimes played off by
the western men upon those who have yet to undergo
their novitiate.

A German accidentally wandered out to and located
21

3GO PECULIAR RATTLESNAKE ADVENTURE.

himself in company with others on or near the Green-
horn River, which is one of the tributaries of the Ar-
kansas. Their business was trading \vith the Mormons,
many of whom at that time traveled to Salt Lake, by
what is known as the Arkansas River route. In so do-
ing, they came near the vicinity of the site selected for
trading purposes. In the commencement, the German
was very inexperienced in matters that pertained to
trading with these emigrants, and, as a matter of
course, in an Indian country, met with many singular
adventures. It so happened that this man was ex-
ceedingly afraid of rattlesnakes, and those he was asso-
ciated with, by way of amusement, delighted in aug-
menting his fears by telling him wonderful stories of
what feats the reptile had been known to perform. On
the first trip which he made to the camp of some Mor-
mons located about nine miles off, his ride took him
through a perfect hot-bed of these snakes. Behind his
saddle, on the horse's back which he rode, he had tied
a bag of rice which he intended to barter. The Ger-
man not being used to riding, was a poor horseman,
while unfortunately, his steed was a spirited animal,
and at once, on his mounting, started off on a trot.
7 he string of the bag of rice became loosened by the
severe jolting, and its contents came tumbling on the
ground in great quantities, but afterwards, as the stock
on hand decreased, this was lessened. The German,
who had his hands full to keep his seat in the saddle,
heard the rattling noise behind him, but dared not look
around for fear of being thrown off from his horse. He
supposed he was chased by a ferocious snake, and, at
once, thought only of escape; therefore, seizing the
mane of the horse, he gave him the spurs. He was soon

APACHES ON THE WAR-PATH. 361

going at a flying gait ; still, the rattling noise pursued
him as the increased speed sent the little grains of rice
out of the sack in greater quantities. At last the sound
died away, as the cause of the trouble was expended.
The frightened rider now considered himself safe, and
began to rein in his horse. After awhile he brought
him to a stand-still, and turned to look for his retreat-
ing enemy, but instead found the origin and cause of
the mischief. His loss was irrevocable, and he could
only laugh at the ridiculous figure he must have cut.
This adventure gave his friends much merriment, and
served to open his eyes in reference to the much vaunted
capabilities of this snake. He has since often told this
story of himself, and considers it a capital joke.

The labor of settling up their business at Fort Lara-
mie was soon over, when Kit Carson and Goodel took
their departure. Goodel started for California, while
Kit Carson commenced his tramp homeward. As a
traveling companion, he took with him a Mexican.
They pursued their journey quite pleasantly and safely
enough, but, on their arrival at the Greenhorn River,
the scene of the German's adventure with a rattle-
snake, they were obliged to be very wary in their prog-
ress, for Kit had learned that the Apache Indians were
out on the war-path, and were waylaying the road
which he intended to pursue with the avowed purpose
of attacking, plundering and murdering whoever
chanced to fall in their savage clutches. Kit Carson,
therefore, halted for six days on the banks of the Green-
horn, and spent the time recruiting his animals. While
here and thus engaged, a party of white men, whom
he found encamped on the same river, formed the sub-
ject of his earnest attention. They had come thus far

362 SLEEPING IN TREE-TOPS.

on their route to New Mexico, but, on learning the
news of the hostile attitude of the Apache nation, their
courage had entirely deserted them. They did not
dare venture into New Mexico, and counseled the re-
tracing of their steps. Kit Carson set himself to work,
but found he had a difficult task to talk courage into
these men. By dint of much argument, he succeeded
in persuading one of them to accompany him. On the
seventh day, with this one companion — for the Mexi-
can had left him — he broke up his little camp on the
Greenhorn, and set out upon his dangerous journey.

By taking a zigzag course, avoiding, in the moun-
tains, all the usually traveled trails, he advanced on his
route forty miles without seeing any very fresh Indian
signs. As often as the moon was unclouded, the two
men embraced the assistance of its pale light to make
progress through the dangers that beset them ; and, on
the days which succeeded this night-work, they would
conceal themselves and animals in some out-of-the-way
place, where they were not to be easily discovered.
Kit Carson had not sufficient confidence in the quick-
ness of perception of his companion to trust him as a
sentinel, therefore he had to take upon himself all of
that important duty. While on the lookout, he usually
posted himself in the top limbs of a tree, and always
took care to select one that commanded, a good pros-
pect of the surrounding country. After several days
passed without having proper rest, Kit, in the monot-
ony of his position as sentinel, would feel sleep stealing
over him, until it was difficult to keep longer awake.
He would close his eyes and commence to nod, but on
these occasions he was sure to be quickly aroused on
almost losing his balance, by which, however, he en-

A NARROW ESCAPE. 363

dangered his neck. One day, while thus employed, he
was perched in the highest branches of a lofty old cot-
ton-wood on the banks of the River Timchera, and not
far off from the "Spanish Peaks." Nearly ten hours
had passed without anything special having attracted
his attention, when, all at once, a band of straggling
Apaches came into view not over one-half mile distant.
A single look was sufficient to convince him that, as yet,
neither himself nor his companion had been discovered.
No time was to be lost, so Kit, as quickly as possible,
descended and ran to where his friend was, and in-
formed him of their danger. The animals were soon
saddled, and the two men mounting them, struck out
in a direction just the opposite to that in which
the Indians were traveling. Fortune favored them, as,
soon after they had emerged from the timber into the
open prairies, night set in, thus shutting them out from
the view of the savages. Profiting by the daikness
and the level country which lay before them, they
reached, by the rising of the next morning's sun, the
Mexican town of Red River, which was sixty-five miles
distant from the place they had last started from. All
dangers having been now surmounted, they made a
sufficient stay at Red River to rest themselves and
animals.

On resuming their journey, they jogged along over
the now rough trail and, after a ride of thirty miles,
came to Taos, where they were once more safe from
the perils that had so recently surrounded them, and
where they were well provided for by kind friends.

Rio Colorado, or Red River settlement, is, next to
Taos, the oldest town in northern New Mexico. It is
located on a small stream of the same name, which

364 INVETERATE STORY-TELLERS.

Hows into the Rio Grande. The town itself contains
some two or three hundred inhabitants, and occupies
rather a pretty site, being built on a high bank, while
between it and the river there is a large strip of bottom-
land, which is under cultivation. The scenery about
is picturesque, embracing lofty and bold mountains,
beautiful wood-land and open prairies. The exter-
nal appearance of the village is that of abject poverty;
and, on entering it, one readily sees that his eyesight
has not deceived him, but that his first impressions are
fully realized. It was here that Fremont and his men
found a haven of safety after meeting their trying
reverses on the fourth exploring expedition. To them
the sight of this town must have been hailed with
delight. In Red River there live two old trappers,
who have long since been weaned from the habits and
manners of civilization. These two men are Canadians,
one of them notorious for the "yarns" he can spin •
but as they are, many of them, past belief, they are
listened to by the traveler as a help to pass the
time while he is obliged to tarry in the place. A
young English nobleman, who was on a visit of pleas-
ure to the western country, once fell into this man's
clutches, and, from the trapper's after boasting, we
infer that he (the trapper) more than surpassed him-
self in story-telling. Among other things, he informed
this nobleman that he had once mastered a grizzly
bear in a hand-to-hand fight by cramming a stick that
was sharpened at both ends into the bear's mouth in
such a way that the monster could not close his jaws,
because it fastened and kept them open. Being asked
by the nobleman how large were the hare in that
vicinity of country, his answer was, that he had seen

SIX-OUNCE GRASSHOPPERS. 365

them of such a magnitude that one would be a load
for a man, and that when strung across the hunter's
shoulder, one part was sure to be dragging on the
ground. He then boasted that he had killed a grass-
hopper that, with his head cut off, weighed six ounces.
Notwithstanding his love of talk, this old man had
once been a brave and famous hunter; but no confi-
dence could be placed in him, owing to his habituated
want of regard for truth and honor ; hence, he has
long since been excluded from the companionship of
the mountaineers. The English gentleman above
spoken of was an experienced traveler, and therefore
undoubtedly knew how to weigh the truth of his
astonishing information.

366 KIT CARSON REACHES HOME.

CHAPTER XIY.

Kit Carson reaches Home — Himself and Neighbors Robbed by the Apaches
— Major Grier goes in Pursuit of, and Recaptures the stolen Stock —
A Plot organized by White Men to Murder two Santa Fe Traders for
their Money — The Disclosure — Kit Carson goes to the rescue of the
Traders — The Camp of United States Recruits — Captain Ewell with
twenty Men joins Kit Carson — The Arrest of Fox — Gratitude ex-
pressed by the Traders — Money Offered but Refused — The Prisoner
taken to Taos and Incarcerated — Kit Carson receives a Magnificent
Pair of Revolvers as a Present from the grateful Traders — The Re-
turn to Rayado — A Trading Expedition to the United States — The
Return Journey — An Encounter with the Cheyenne Indians — A State
of Suspense — The Deliverance from Danger by a Message sent by a
Mexican Runner — The arrival at Rayado.

AFTER finishing the pleasant visit which he was thus
enabled to make, while recruiting himself among the
good people of Taos, Kit Carson bent his way to his
home at Rayado. He safely reached there and had
but just dismounted at his own door, when he was in-
formed of a recent calamity that had befallen himself
and neighbors during his absence. It was the old story,
viz., that the Indians had come in and boldly stolen all
the animals belonging to the settlement. At the time
this depredation had been committed, there was a small
detachment of United States troops stationed in the
place, but the soldiers were too few in number to at-
tempt a rescue of the property from the savages. The
latter had visited the little town with a strong force
on this occasion ; the settlers, therefore, made applica-

KIT CARSON'S WORKMEN. 367

tion to the commanding officer of the territory, who
promptly dispatched Major Grier with a command of
dragoons to hunt up the guilty parties and punish them.
This the major did, and was so fortunate as to recover
nearly all of the stolen stock, which he had the satisfac-
tion of returning to its owners.

Kit Carson remained through the following summer
months at his ranch at Ray ado, busying himself in
efforts to improve his house and lands.

In his employment Kit Carson had several faithful
Mexicans. His task was to superintend their labors,
which occupied only a part of his time. When any-
thing required it he lent a hand to assist them ; but
these men had to be provided with provisions which,
to purchase in those distant parts, would have entailed
a great item of expense ; indeed, more than equal to
the profits arising from their labor. Therefore a certain
amount of time had to be set apart for hunting, which
kind of employment he truly enjoyed. Mounted on a
fine horse, with his faithful gun and dog, early each
day, he would start out on the prairies to engage in
the chase. In a few hours he would return on foot,
with his noble hunter loaded down with choice game.
Sometimes it would be antelope or elk ; on another oc-
casion, it would consist of black-tailed deer, which are
celebrated as being the largest and the finest species of
venison that roam the forests of any country, and are
only to be found in the Rocky Mountains ; on another,
wild turkeys ; and then mountain grouse and prairie
chickens helped to complete the load. When thus
provided for, it is no wonder that Kit's workmen loved
their employment and labored with good will. While
thus engaged Kit Carson's weather eye was always

368 A PICTURE OF CONTENTMENT.

open for Indian signs. His horses, cattle and sheep
which he had bought since the last depredation were
watched with great vigilance, as no one could foretell
what the next hour would bring forth. In his moun-
tain home, Kit was often visited by Indian friends who
carne to smoke the pipe of peace with him and enjoy
his hospitality. When thus surrounded by rival hunt-
ers worthy of his steel, who had sprung up, like oaks
of the forest, he felt truly happy. This happiness was
greatly enhanced and augmented by the thrifty appear-
ance of everything that pertained to him.

He saw himself in the possession of fine lands, well
watered and well timbered ; also, plenty which was
ready for the plow. It was almost a farm, made to
order by the most perfect workman. The soil, un-
surpassed in richness and fertility, was a safe and sure
depository for his seeds, telling him, in its silent but un-
mistakable language, of the rich harvest in store for
him. His stock was the best which heart could wish;
and last, but with him not least, he was within a stone's
throw of splendid hunting-grounds, which, to his un-
erring rifle, as the reader has already seen, proved as
safe an assistant as would have been a Wall street bank
with a large credit side to his account.

We have here a picture of Kit Carson enjoying the
rewards of a home congenial to his taste and knowledge
of life, while around him are gathered the objects which
his manly soul had learned to love and live for.

The duties of farming and hunting were only once
interrupted during tae summer which Kit Carson thus
enjoyed with his family. The exploit which called
him, on this occasion, from his home, was caused by
an effort to save the lives of two well known traders.

A DIABOLICAL PLOT. 369

To accomplish this, he assumed the character and du-
ties of a detective police officer. The circumstances
of the case were as follows :

An American, by the name of Fox, had organized a
party to accompany as a guard over the plains, and,
while professedly engaged in this duty, to murder
Messrs. Brevoort and Weatherhead, two gentlemen who
were traveling into the United States, as the rascal and
party supposed, with a large sum of money which they
expected to expend in the purchase of goods to be used
for trading purposes. Fox played his part so well that
when he offered himself and men as an escort, the offer
was accepted by the intended and unsuspicious victims,
as if it had been a mark of particular favor. Before the
route was entered upon, Fox visited Taos for the pur-
pose of enlisting among his band of desperadoes, a fel-
low who resided in that town. He was a person who
bore a very bad character, but for some reason, which
has never transpired, he refused to go ; yet, proving
true as a wicked confidant, he waited until he thought
his friend Fox was sufficiently advanced on the road to
accomplish his hellish purposes without any chance of
his being overtaken and arrested. He then saw fit to
divulge the plot.

Every new country is the favorite place of resort for
desperadoes and rascals of all grades, who cannot live
in their native districts on account of their many crimes.
Until the machinery of law and order begins to work
smoothly, these fellows, in their new homes, have
everything their own way unless they go to too great
excesses, when their neighbors will rise for their own
protection and treat them with summary and severe
punishmer . Often, by thus making an example of a

370 NEFARIOUS PRACTICES.

few, large numbers are prevented from doing further
mischief. In the early history of nearly every one of
our western territories, escaped convicts, murderers,
thieves and the worst sort of humanity, mingled in
with good men, have commenced their nefarious prac-
tices on a grand scale. These things have brought such
sections of our country into bad repute abroad. It
needs but time for communities to ferret these human
monsters out and visit upon them a just retribution.
The inland position of New Mexico and the consequent
difficulty of intercourse with the General Government
of the United States, made it an inviting place, from
time to time, for men of this stamp to visit; but, as
they have met on most occasions with a reception from
the friends of order, not in the least suited to their
tastes, they have almost ceased their coming, thereby
showing what a few resolute men can accomplish at the
commencement of such trouble. The reforming work
of mitigating the evil, which is sure to result among a
mixed population under the best regulations, is slowly
progressing, and the day is not far distant, when New
Mexico, in this respect, will compare favorably with her
sister (and older) States.

The purport of this diabolical plot accidentally came
to the ears of an officer in the army, who chanced to
be in Taos at the time. This gentleman was one of the
first to hear of it, and at once sought Kit Carson ; but
instead of directly telling him what he had just heard,
from some strange reason of his own, he demanded
of Kit whether he would be willing to pursue and ap-
prehend Fox for debt. To this proposition Kit Carson
replied in the negative.

On hearing Kit's indignant refusal to be employed

KIT CARSON AS A DETECTIVE. 371

in such a menial undertaking, the officer concluded to
lay the true state of the case before him, who, he natu-
rally enough thought, could, above all others in that
territory, devise some plan that would result in rescu-
ing Brevoort and Weatherhead from their impending
fate. Here it may be proper for us to add that the offi-
cer who had thus indiscreetly acted, must have had
previously a very slight acquaintance with Kit Carson,
or he would not have selected him as a man ready and
anxious for any dirty job which might offer, as it is
entirely foreign to his true character. Kit Carson, on
being apprised of the facts, became interested, and took
the management of the affair, for the most part, into
his own hands ; and, on investigating it more thor-
oughly, he came to the conclusion that Fox and his
companions contemplated committing the crime on the
Cimaron River.

This river is nearly east from Taos ; and the point at
which Carson anticipated overhauling the party was
between two and three hundred miles distant. At this
time, the Mountain Indians were unusually hostile ;
but Kit Carson was always well informed of their
movements — as much so as it was in the power of any
one to be. With the little command under him he was
willing, where so weighty a matter of saving the lives
of two of his countrymen demanded his services, to
march anywhere — even if he had to contest his way.
One hour was sufficient time for him to make ready for
the undertaking, but not so with the soldiers. They
had to put their horses and themselves in trim, for it
might be severe and taxing duty. The route taken by
the party was a trail, which leads direct to Rayado, and
on which, just before reaching the last-named place

372 MYSTERIOUS MOUNDS.

there are many curious piles of stones, which are scat-
tered over the side of a mountain, and have formed a
puzzle to many an inquiring mind. By some they are
supposed to be Indian graves ; but, by others, they are
thought to have been made as a sort of landmark by
the older mhabitants of the plains, when they started
into New Mexico on some marauding incursion. These
latter persons believe that the Indians were unac-
quainted with the country they were invading, and
had left these marks to assist them in making their
way out again. Most likely the first hypothesis is true,
and that the stones were thus heaped up to protect the
corpses from being devoured by the wolves. On quit-
ting Rayado Kit Carson struck out on the open
prairies.

By making an expeditious march, Kit Carson felt
that the traders could yet be saved. His party con-
sisted of ten picked men of the dragoons, and it was
splendidly mounted on horses furnished him to assist
in the undertaking. The pace which Kit commanded
and required was one which would try the nerves and
courage of most good horsemen. Onward, over the
level prairie, the party galloped — every man feeling
proud of the guide, whose spirit they caught and imi-
tated. The second night out from Taos they came upon
the camp of a detachment of United States recruits who
were under the command of Captain Ewell, and who
were bound for New Mexico, where they were to re-in-
force the regiments of the army which were stationed
in that territory.

It is customary to send out, each year, detachments
of recruits to the different departments of the West.
These men are enlisted and collected at the depots

UNITED STATES RAW RECRUITS. 373

within the States ; and, whenever a sufficient force is
collected to fill up the requisitions, they are dispatched,
at the proper seasons, to their respective regiments.
Those intended for New Mexico set out during the
summer months. They were rarely sent at the same
tkne, or as the same command of men. These re-
cruits were a hard set to manage, especially when trav-
eling through the States, where they were exposed to
temptation. On arriving at the commencement of
their hardships, on the plains, it was usually found that
many had deserted, and also that many might have
done so with benefit to the government. Military ser-
vice with recruits, and the same with old soldiers, are
two different things. With the former, officers are
obliged to command, threaten and punish, to accom-
plish in one day, what the latter would perform with-
out much trouble in half the time. Recruits know
little or nothing about marching or camp duty ; and,
in taking care of them, an officer has his hands full.
Even the most minute items have to be looked to ; for
example, they are men rarely used to fire-arms, and
are just as apt to load a gun with the ball of the car-
tridge first down, as with the powder. Old soldiers
look upon these new-comers as verdant in the ex-
treme, and the pranks they often play upon them are
very humorous. With patient discipline, they become
serviceable men, and are an honor to the standard
which they carry ; and, what appears k> be the stran-
gest fact of all, frequently the poorest looking recruit
may make the best soldier. This is a fair picture of
the men Captain Ewell was commanding.

Kit Carson at once informed the captain of the duty
he was on, when that distinguished officer generously

374 THE ARREST OF FOX.

determined to assist in putting a damper on the wicked
designs of the wretches. Taking with him twenty
men, Captain Ewell joined Kit Carson, and together
they proceeded in the pursuit. By using every pre-
caution in their power, and forcing their marches, they
entered into the camp of the traders, and arrested Fox
before he had time even to suspect the business upon
which the party had come. After Fox was secured,
Messrs. Weatherhead and Brevoort were informed of
the dangers through which they had passed. These
gentlemen at first were astounded, but they soon be-
came assured of the truth of what they had heard.
They then selected fifteen men whom they knew to be
innocent, and ordered the remainder of their escort, num-
bering thirty-five souls, to leave their camp instanter,
which command was promptly obeyed. To Kit Carson
they offered any sum of money that was in their power
to bestow, in return for the invaluable service he had
rendered them. Kit Carson replied, " that it was re-
ward sufficient for him to heave been instrumental in
saving the lives of two worthy citizens, and that he
could not think of receiving one cent of money."

A long colloquy was held that night around a good
camp-fire, that was freely fed with "buffalo chips."*
At midnight, most of the party were asleep, and noth-
ing could then be heard except the barking of wolves
and the heavy tread of the guard, as 'they walked to
and fro on their respective beats. On the first appear-
ance of daylight, all hands were up and preparing to
strike their tents. Soon after the parties separated,
but, before doing so, the traders again expressed their
thanks, and then resumed their journey. Fox was first

* Buffalo chips form the principal fuel of the plains. It is dry buffalo manure.

ESCAPE FROM PRISON. 375

taken to Captain EwelPs camp, then he was turned
over to Kit Carson, who conveyed him to Taos, where
he was imprisoned for some time ; but was finally re-
leased, as nothing positive could be proved against him,
chiefly because he had committed no overt act, but had
only, thus far, engaged in plotting the double murder
and robbery. This is always a difficult crime to estab-
lish. In this instance, the difficulty was greatly aug-
mented from the fact that the witnesses in the case, as
soon as they heard of Fox's capture, scattered and left
for parts unknown. He was finally set at liberty.

At that day the keeping of a prisoner in close con-
finement in New Mexico, or of having him continually
under the surveillance of the military was no ordinary,
or easy matter. The only places which could be con-
verted into jails, were the common adobe houses of the
inhabitants. From these a wide-awake and deter-
mined prisoner, with the free use of his hands and the
assistance of the smallest kind of a tool, as a jackknife
or pair of scissors, could dig out of his dungeon in five
or six hours. The large majority of the criminals who
were thus incarcerated, managed to effect their escape.
In the case of Fox, however, he had a man to deal with
who was seldom thwarted in any of his undertakings.
With so much convicting evidence of his wicked inten-
tions, and with so much trouble to bring him to trial,
it was greatly regretted that he did not receive a suit-
able punishment. As soon as he was set free, Fox
made his way out of the country ; but his further his-
tory is not known.

The general impression left upon the minds of the
people who were familiar with the minutiae of this af-
fair was, that Fox was guilty. As he was known to be
22

376 CARSON HANDSOMELY REWARDED.

a finished villain, it was universally believed that, after
murdering and plundering the two traders, he intended
to grasp the "lion's share," and with his portion to pro-
ceed to Texas, where, as he was there entirely un-
known, he hoped to enjoy the rewards of his rascality.

This valuable service rendered to Messrs. Brevoort
and Weatherhead, was most gracefully and handsomely
rewarded by them. In the course of the following
spring, they presented Kit with a pair of magnificent
revolvers. Upon the silver mountings, there were en-
graved a very few, but expressive words, indicating the
obligations which the donors considered themselves
laboring under towards their deliverer. Such a testi-
monial to an unselfish heart, like that which beats in
the breast of Kit Carson, is a prize of greater value
than any more substantial gift, which money could
purchase. These beautiful weapons Kit Carson prized
very highly ; and the donors afterwards learned the
fact that, in the hands of their owner, they were duly
initiated into active service, and found to perform their
necessary duties most admirably.

After the task of the arrest of Fox was thus success-
fully undertaken and consummated, by his being se-
curely lodged in jail and placed under suitable guard,
Kit Carson returned to Rayado, where he spent the
winter in a very quiet manner. We use the term
quiet manner : it should be qualified with the phrase,
quiet manner for him. He found plenty of employ-
ment in looking after his animals, besides spending a
large share of his time in hunting. This, however,
although always attended with paying practical results,
he did as much for pleasure as for necessity. He always
found a large number of hungry mouths ready to re-

A TILLAGE OF CHEYENNE INDIANS. 377

lieve him from any superabundance of game ; and, as
his hospitality to all classes was unbounded, he took
special delight in feeding and liberally bestowing his
bounties upon his poor Mexican neighbors, to whom
powder and lead were more of a desideratum than to
himself, and with whom his experience and skill as a
hunter, were a source of support which they could
only wish for.

Early the next summer Kit Carson, in charge of a
train of wagons belonging to himself and his friend
Maxwell, set out for the United States. After an un-
usually pleasant journey, he reached the Missouri
River, and proceeded down it, in a steamboat, to St.
Louis. Here he purchased a large stock of goods.
With this freight he returned to Kansas, where he had
left his caravan, into which, on his arrival, he transferred
his merchandise. He then started on his return trip to
New Mexico. In order that his animals might take ad-
vantage of the fine grass to be found there, he chose
the route known to all traders on the plains, as well as
to the reader, as the road by Bent's Fort. He was
progressing on his journey quite happily, when unfor-
tunately, at a point that is located about fifteen miles
above the fording of the Arkansas, he fell in with a
village of Cheyenne Indians, who were just at that
time violently hostile towards the whites, and were
waiting an opportunity to wreak their vengeance on
them. This state of feeling had been brought about
only a few days previous, and was due to an officer
who was attached to a command of recruits that some
ten days before Kit's arrival had passed by. He had
flogged a warrior for some liberty which the fellow had
taken while he was in the camp of the soldiers. These

378 INDIAN SQUAWS.

Cheyennes are very fond of dress and show ; but, as a
body, they are as noble and athletic looking men as
tread this earth. Singular though the contrast may
appear, a greater set of rascals never went unhung;
yet, they are Indians, and as such they ought to com-
mand sympathy and forbearance.

The young men who belong to the Cheyenne nation,
are fond of dress, and when arrayed in full costume one
of them is a picture to look upon ; when thus gilded no
man could be prouder. Many of these Indians wear
their hair in a long cue a la Chinese style. They take
great pleasure in ornamenting this cue with innumera-
ble pieces of silver, which are made from half-dollar
pieces, and are beat out in the shape of small shields.
With their blue, or red blankets, long ribbons of differ-
ent colored flannel, fancy leggins and bead decorations,
and finally (as I once saw one) with a red cotton um-
brella, they represent the very Paris tip of Indian fash-
ion. Their squaws do not possess as regular and fine
features as the men ; but, this may be said to be true
of most of the wild tribes of savages in North America,
for it requires an enormous stretch of the imagination to
call them handsome, while many of the men are fine
looking. Hard work spoils the beauty of the Indian
women. To admire an Indian woman one must se-
clude himself from the society of other females ; under
such circumstances it may be that a person might be
inclined to change his opinion and think the race lovely.
The lazy brave considers it beneath his station to work;
therefore all camp labor and the packing, saddling and
looking after the ponies devolves upon the squaw.
When there is a scanty supply of horses, she is obliged
to give her lord the preference in taking his ease, and

"LO! THE POOR INDIAN."

AN INDIAN NEVER FORGIVES. 381

go herself on foot and carry her pappoose. In fact it
is lowering to the Indian's pride to do else than hunt and
fight. Owing to the scarcity of timber on the western
prairies, the Indians transport their lodge-poles* from
camp to camp. This is done by attaching them to the
sides of the pack animals while the free ends drag on
the ground, and in time of war this constitutes one of
the signs of the trail by which to follow when in pur-
suit of them.

The reason why the commanding officer of this party
of recruits inflicted the summary punishment referred
to, is not known to the writer ; but, it surely does ap-
pear as if the person who ordered its execution, or per-
haps courageously performed it himself, might have
reflected, that a savage, least of all men, allows a sup-
posed injury done to him or his tribe to pass by unre-
venged, and also that it is a matter of perfect indiffer-
ence to him as to who the victim is, if he only gets
the chance to strike a blow on the same nation. This
revenge will quench his cruel thirst for blood quite as
effectually as if he had the satisfaction of scalping the
perpetrator of his real or supposed injury. It is a fact
— alas too frequently true — that the parties who are
strong in numbers, courage, and equipment, while
crossing the plains, are prone to treat, in an overbear-
ing and insolent manner, the bands of Indians with
whom they chance to come in contact. For these in-
sults and injuries weaker parties, who travel upon the
same road, are held to a strict and revengeful account
by being made to suffer even with their lives, as well
as effects. Kit Carson and his small force, unfortunately,
or rather, fortunately, so far as Kit himself was con-
cerned,— for no man could be better fitted to deal with

382 PREPARED FOR A FIGHT.

such a crisis of trouble than he — were the first white men
who came along after the flogging of their warrior had
wrought up the temper of the Cheyenne nation to a
degree which nearly bordered on frenzy.

As soon as the whites were discovered, the Indians
went into council, evidently to decide on the best
mode of attacking and making away with them. Kit
Carson, though he did not know that this tribe had
declared war, and much less their reasons for so doing,
when he first saw them, was not long in coming to a
conclusion, from their actions, that there was a screw
loose somewhere. He, therefore, began to act with
more than usual sagacity and caution. He ordered his
men to keep their wagons close together, to have their
rifles in good trim and be ready for an instant fight. In
this manner, with every man on the watch, he pushed
on for a distance of twenty miles. Although he had
left the Indians far behind, he did not relax his vigi-
lance, being still impressed with the belief that a storm
was brewing. His surmises began to be verified soon
after, for the Indians, in 'parties of two, three, and four,
appeared in sight, arrayed and painted in their full
war costume. Having approached some of them to
within a distance sufficiently near so to do, Kit Carson
commenced talking to them in a conciliatory manner.
They were inclined to heed his words ; and, in order to
make it appear that he was not intimidated by their ac-
tions, he went into camp, and invited these advance par-
ties of the Indians to come in and have a talk and smoke
with him. The savages accepted the invitation, and
were soon seated in a circle. After the pipe had passed
from one to the other, until all present had had a puff or
two from it, they began to talk loud among themselves.

"CAUGHT A TARTAR." 383

At the time we now speak of, several years, as the
reader can readily compute, had elapsed since Kit Car- 1
son was a hunter at Bent's Fort, and then well known
to most of the Cheyenne nation ; but, these few years
had so altered him, together with his new style of
dress, that it is no doubt that, at first, not one of the
Indians remembered ever having seen him before.

Kit Carson remained quiet and allowed the Indians
to open the talk, as he was watching to find out what
had so suddenly aroused their anger, and he well knew
that if they supposed that he and his men did not un-
derstand what they were conversing about, they might
refer to the cause of the trouble, and thus give him a
clue whereby he might take advantage, and form a line
of conduct. It was clear to his mind that the Indians
were resolved to have revenge on his party, and that
there was time enough to let himself be known to
them, which, in their present excited state, would serve
him but little. The Indians had at first conversed in
the Sioux tongue. The reason for this was to conceal
their own nationality, and thus, if necessary in the fu-
ture, they could shield themselves by laying the massa-
cre, which they were about to commit, on the shoulders
of that tribe. This is a ruse often employed by the In-
dians ; but, in this case, in their heated state they for-
got their native cunning and commenced conversing
in the language which was most familiar to them. A
Frenchman, called in the mountains Pete, who spoke
English quite fluently, and who was with Carson during
these trying scenes, informed the writer, on one occa-
sion, that he never fully knew or appreciated Kit Car-
son until this occurrence. "Why," said he in his en-
thusiasm, "Kit knew just what was to be done, and

384 "TICKLISH TIMES."

did it, too. With any other man, we would have gone
under. The Indians were more afraid of him than all
the rest of us put together. There were red fellows
enough there to eat us up, and at one time I could
almost feel my hair leaving my head. We had two
women traveling with us, and their crying made me
feel so bad that I was sartin there was no fight in me.
Women (he added) are poor plunder to have along
when going out on a war party, but Kit talked to
them, and then to the Indians, and put them both
finally on the right trail. Wah ! ! but them were
ticklish times."

As soon as the Indians, in their excitement, began
to speak their own language, they became very vio-
lent, and so unguarded were they in expressing their
individual sentiments that they treated Kit and his
party with perfect indifference, and openly, though se-
cretly as they thought, arranged for the massacre.

Little did they imagine that Kit Carson, whom they
had at first sight selected as the leader of the company,
understood every word that was said. Kit listened at-
tentively to their plans and heard them decide that the
time to kill him was, when he again took the pipe to
smoke ; for, in so doing, he would lay down his weap-
ons. They could be instantly seized, and therefore he
would be prevented from doing them any harm. As
to the Mexicans who accompanied him, they said they
could kill them as easily they could buffalo. Already
enough had passed among the Indians to arouse in Kit
Carson's breast the greatest feeling of alarm as to what
would be the result of the position in which he was
placed. He had with him fifteen men, two only of
which number, were men on whom he felt that he could

ASTONISHED INDIANS. 385

rely. The other members of the party, who counted
thirteen in all, were Mexicans of whom he had a poor
opinion as to their bravery. Nothing daunted by such an
accumulation of unfavorable circumstances, he at once
saw that a bold face was to be put on in order to extricate
himself from the grasp of the Indians. Springing to
his feet with his weapons ready for immediate use, Kit
Carson, as he advanced into the centre of the seated
warriors, gave directions for his men to be ready to de-
fend their lives. Then, turning to the Indians, who
sat rooted to the earth, as it were, with astonishment
at the suddenness of such actions and such coolness, he
commenced addressing them. He informed them " that
they might readily see from the fluency with which he
spoke their language, that he had comprehended all
that they had been talking about. What puzzled him
most, however, was the cause of their wishing to have
his scalp. "Never," said he, "to his knowledge had he
been guilty of any wrong to their tribe ; that, on the
contrary, there were braves among those present, who,
if they turned to their memories, would recognize his
face as that of an old friend in years gone by, and who
could testify to the many acts of kindness which he had
performed in their behalf." He reminded them " how
that, even now, he had received them into his camp
and treated them with all the hospitality in his power;
and yet they persisted in repaying him by taking his
life." In the end, he wound up his discourse by giving
peremptory orders for them to leave his camp, and
should any one refuse, he would be shot. The Indians
were completely nonplussed, and not feeling inclined
to risk a fight without their usual accompaniment of a
surprise, after saying something about returning, to

386 KIT A HOST IN HIMSELF.

which they were answered " that if they did, they
would be received by a volley of bullets," they departed
to join their friends who were in swarms upon the
neighboring hills. It is supposed that a grand council
was called, in which the proceedings that had transpired
in the camp of the white men were fully reported, and
perchance, many of the braves, in refreshing their mem-
ories, began to recollect some of the daring deeds which
Kit Carson had performed when he lived in their coun-
try. This, doubtless, led them to the conclusion that
they had caught an experienced traveler ; for, certain
it was, that afterwards their actions became somewhat
disconcerted and not so rash as they had been. No
sooner had the savages retired from the camp, than Kit
Carson ordered his men to harness their animals to the
\\agons, so that they could resume their journey.

As the train moved on, the Indians were once more
left behind, although they had, by no means, formed
the idea of allowing the white men to depart in peace.
They were busy concocting some scheme whereby they
could accomplish their ends without loss to themselves.
The muleteers, as they walked beside their teams, by
order of Kit Carson held in one hand their rifles, while
m the other were their whips, which, from time to time,
they were obliged to apply freely to their animals in
order to keep the caravan in compact order. Mounted
on a fine horse, with his rifle and pistol so adjusted that
he could lay his hands on them at a moment's notice,
Kit Carson rode from one end of the line to the other,
inspiring his men with his own courage. He felt that
upon him was rested the responsibility of saving the
lives of his companions, and that it was to him they all
looked to be rescued from the perils that surrounded

ON THE ALERT. 387

them. As he rode along, his eyes were busy scanning
the prairies in every direction. Now and then he rested
from this duty as his mind became somewhat relieved,
when he could discover nothing except bands of ante-
lope, or, here and there, a hungry wolf, who, with his
white, canine looking teeth, seemingly, spoke volumes
of the empty condition of his stomach. For the re-
mainder of that day, the train traveled on in apparent
safety. When the shades of evening had fairly set in,
a camping ground was selected on a small stream. The
\vagons were formed in a circle, in which were huddled
the men and animals, so that both could be protected
by the weapons of the former. Grass was cut with the
butcher knives belonging to the members of the party,
and was laid before the mules. In this dangerous lo-
cality, they could not be allowed to procure this food
for themselves. As strong a guard as their forces
would permit of was posted. The remainder of the
party gathered some wood that had floated down the
stream from the mountains, and was sparingly scattered
along the shores of the river near to the camp. This
was brought in, when small fires were made over which
their frugal meal was prepared, after which the men
lay down to rest. Many persons there are who would
think that after escaping such perils once, it would take
very great inducements to make them thus expose
themselves a second time. Nevertheless, there exist
in our land hundreds upon hundreds of men who take
delight in returning into the midst of these dangers.

A life on the prairies of the " Far West" has its good
chances as well as its counter chances, and no man can
be happier than the true mountaineer. At first, to one
accustomed to luxuries and modern refinement, nothing

388 A FLEET-FOOTED MESSENGER.

can be more unpleasant than a journey over the plains ;
but each day thus spent, hardens the traveler until
meals, that a beggar in our towns or cities would
hardly deign to touch, are by him eaten with a relish
to which he has long been a stranger. It is on these
long tramps that the dyspeptic and melancholic man
becomes the liveliest of the party ; his sociability often
increases to such a degree that he soon can spin- a yarn
in a true Baron Munchausen style.

Kit Carson, as he rode silently along all the following
day, had been meditating over the scenes through
which he had so recently passed, and also the most
practicable means to be employed for ttfe future.
When the night had fully set in, without saying one
word to the other members of the party, he called to a
young Mexican whom he knew to be very fleet of foot
and whose powers of endurance were wonderful. On his
coming to him he led him one side, when, after he had
depicted to the boy their fearful situation in its true
colors, he told him that he held the power of saving
the lives of the whole party.

The New Mexicans of the north are famous as being
very fleet of foot, and the great distance which they
can run in a short period of time is astonishing. As
a general rule, they are very partial to horses, but,
when they have no riding animal, they will start on a
journey of hundreds of miles and accomplish it in an
incredibly short time. A journey of forty or fifty miles
in a day is an ordinary circumstance with them, even
when the inducement for making it, has in its behalf
only a minor consideration. Owing to want of mail
routes, it sometimes becomes necessary to dispatch them
on express duty, such as carrying one, or several letters

WONDERFUL PHYSICAL ENDURANCE. 389

to some distant point. Their charge is wrapped up
in a handkerchief and tied about their waist to prevent
being lost. Then, on a jog trot, they will start out ; and
over mountains and broken country they will not alter
the pace for many consecutive hours, and this for a re-
ward of one or two dollars per diem. It is not uncom-
mon to meet traveling companions where one is on
horseback and the other on foot ; but notwithstanding,
they will keep together for an entire journey, and com-
plete it as quickly as if the horseman had undertaken
it alone. When, by chance, they come to and stop at
a village where there is a fandango or other festive
scene in full blast, they will, notwithstanding their long
tramp, join in and dissipate as hard as any member pres-
ent. Their healthy climate, coarse but plain diet, and
the great amount of exercise which they take in the
open air, make them capable of a wonderful amount of
physical endurance, under which they seem never to
grow weary. In this respect, the only successful rivals
which they have, are the Indians. This was the kind
of material Kit Carson had in the Mexican boy, whom
he was now about to part with, having detailed him for
a very important duty.

That youth had long been known by, and had the
full confidence of his employer. He was ready at his
bidding to undertake anything. Therefore, on hearing
the mission which Kit proposed sending him on, he
promised to use every exertion in its accomplishment,
and at once set about its execution. Having obtained a
few rations of provisions, he soon rejoined Carson.
They then proceeded outside of the camp, where he
was to receive his final instructions. By the dim light
of the moon, Kit pointed in the direction of Rayado,

390 LOOKING FOR MOCCASIX TBACKS.

where he was to travel ; and, after warning him of the
dangerous places that lay in his route, and giving him
the message that he was to deliver to the commanding
officer at Rayado, he bid him good-by, with the words,
" be sure and leave a good many miles between us, by
to-rnorrow's sunrise." The distance to the settlement
of Rayado, from Kit Carson's camp, was between two
and three hundred miles, yet, this runner was capable
of traveling it in as short a period of time, as could any
ordinary horse. Kit now returned among his men, not
to sleep, but to watch. This he did until the break of
the following day, when he summoned all hands to
hitch up the teams and proceed. Until twelve o'clock
no Indians were visible ; but, at about that hour, five
of the savages were seen approaching. On they came,
and when within speaking distance, Kit Carson ordered
them to halt. They obeyed his command. On scanning
them closer he bade them come nearer, when, he in-
formed them, " that the night before he had sent an
express to Rayado, for the purpose of letting the
troops there know of the annoyances their tribe were
causing him. "Among the soldiers," he said, "he had
many friends, who would be certain to come to his re-
lief, and, if they should find that his party was massa-
cred, which he let the Indians know could only be ac-
complished by his men being overpowered, they would
be already informed by whom it was done, and would
be sure to visit upon the perpetrators of the crime, a
terrible retribution." The Indians said the}' would
look for the moccasin tracks made by the messenger,
and thus decide whether that which they had just
heard was true, or not. Kit Carson hearing this, at
once considered it as the turning-point in favor of the

" WAS IT COWARDICE ? " 391

safety of his party. The Indians immediately went to
look for the trail. Shortly afterwards the entire Indian
village passed within sight, and were evidently making
the best of their time in seeking some safe hiding-place.
The five warriors had, therefore, evidently found the ex-
pressman's trail, as they had been informed that they
would, and that the boy had proceeded too far on his
journey to think of pursuing him. On his way to Ra-
yado, the messenger overtook the detachment of recruits
to which was attached the officer who had caused the
trouble To the commander of these men, the young
Mexican reported the position, as he left them, of his
employer and companions, but that gentleman, for
some unaccountable reason, would not then grant the
desired aid ; therefore, the boy pushed on to Rayado,
where he found a warm-hearted and brave soldier in
the person of Major Grier, who commanded the post.
The major, on hearing the message sent by Kit Carson,
immediately ordered Lieutenant R. Johnston, his sub-
altern officer, to take a squad of dragoons and proceed
to the assistance of his countrymen. While on his
march, Lieutenant Johnston met with the command
of recruits of whom we have before spoken. In the
course of the conversation which ensued, Johnston was
asked, by the officer in charge of the recruits, what
was the service he was engaged on ? and, being in-
formed, that gentleman probably gave the subject
deeper thought, and it may have occurred to him, and
such is the opinion of Kit Carson, that if the affair was
properly managed, there might be some glory accruing
from it. At any rate, he suddenly changed his mind,
and ordered a detail of men to go with the lieutenant.
The relief party, thus re-inforced, again started, and

392 PRAISEWORTHY ACTION OF MAJOR GRIER.

found Kit Carson and his train of wagons at a point
that is some twenty-five miles below Bent's Fort.
Under the escort of the soldiers, Kit and his men trav-
eled in safety to Rayado, where he had the pleasure
of thanking Major Grier for his praiseworthy and
prompt action, in succoring him and a few other
American citizens who had thus been exposed to the
barbarities of savages, made hostile by the overbearing
conduct of a man whose double blunder was shielded
by power. Although the fighting qualifications of the
soldiers were not called into requisition, yet, they per-
formed a meritorious service by coming. They might
have been instrumental in saving lives while protecting
commerce, and their frequent visits to remote Indian
countries, always leaves salutary impressions on the
minds of the red men.

Kit Carson's thorough knowledge of Indian character
and his established bravery and integrity ought, it ap-
pears to us, to have been a sufficient guaranty to this
officer, that he was acting in good faith when he asked,
through the proper channel, that protection to which
he wras certainly entitled while pursuing the necessary
though hazardous business, connected with the com-
merce of the plains.

Never, throughout his eventful career, had Kit Car-
son refused to offer his services in the cause of a coun-
tryman who stood in need of them ; and now, when the
first time came that he felt it necessary to make the
call for assistance, he could not understand why two
valuable days were allowed to pass, by an officer who
could have aided him, without some notice being taken
of his urgent requisition It is true that by some,
especially those who were not acquainted with the char-

AN AMUSING INCIDENT. 393

acter of Kit Carson, he was regarded as being ever
anxious for an Indian fight ; but had this been the case,
he would have long since paid the forfeit with his life.
To contradict such a statement, we have but to appeal
to the reader of this narrative, and ask him to bear
testimony to the marked discretion that has so far
coupled itself with Kit Carson's fame. An amusing in-
cident which came under the eye of the writer, is to
the point.

In the early part of the so-called gold " fever " of
California, when parties were organizing in the city of
New York, to proceed overland to the Pacific, we
chanced to be present at a meeting held by one of the
companies. As most of those present were entirely un-
acquainted with the country to be passed over, and as
they were anxious to place themselves in a safe posi-
tion, some one proposed that Kit Carson should be em-
ployed as a guide, provided his services could be had.
This was ruled out. The amusing part of this incident
consists in the reason which governed this judgment.
It was on account of the fear that he might lead them
out of their way in order to engage in some bloody In-
dian fight, it being generally represented and believed
that he was sanguinarily inclined. Cheap literature
had so ferociously made the man, that he, of all men
most experienced, could not be trusted, showing thereby
how little had been known of the real Kit Carson.

23

394 THE LAST TRAPPING EXPEDITION.

CHAPTEE XY.

Kit Carson's last Trapping Expedition — He Embarks in a Speculation—
His Trip to California with a large Flock of Sheep — The Methods em-
ployed by Mexicans in driving Herds and their Dexterity — Kit Carson
goes to San Francisco — Its wonderful Growth — Maxwell joins Kit
Carson at Sacramento City — The Lucky Speculation — The Return
Trip to New Mexico and its Adventures — The Mormon Delegate to
Congress informs Kit Carson of his Appointment as Indian Agent —
Kit Carson enters upon the Duties of his Office — Bell's Fight with the
Apaches on Red River — Kit Carson's Interview with the same Indians —
High-handed Measures on the Part of the Apaches — Davidson's Des-
perate Fight with them — The Soldiers defeated with Severe Loss —
Davidson's Bravery is unjustly Questioned — Kit Carson's Opinion of
it — The Apauhes elated by their Victory — Their Imitations of the Ac-
tions of Military Men.

THE expedition into the United States, which termi-
nated with the last chapter, proved to be valuable in
its results, so far as the parties engaged in it were con-
cerned. Kit Carson was once more trying hard to
keep quiet in his comfortable home at Rayado. But
his restless spirit was not proof against this inactivity.
His stay at home, therefore, was short. The memories
of other days came upon him, and he longed once more
to enjoy, in company with the " friends of his youth,"
the scenes, excitements and pleasures of his old life as
trapper. Throughout his eventful life, as the reader
has been able clearly to see, Kit Carson seldom spent
his time in idle thinking. His thoughts almost invari-
ably took form in actions. This eager longing resulted,

MEETING FRIENDS OF HIS YOUTH. 395

therefore, in the forming of a regular trapping expedi-
tion, after the olden style, shape, etc., which he organ-
ized with great care and attention. The members of
the party were selected by himself, chiefly with great
exclusiveness, and numbers who wished to join the
party were refused, on account of their inexperience.
After a good deal of inquiry, Kit succeeded in collect-
ing eighteen of his old companions No one among
them was not entitled to be called a mountaineer. Kit
looked upon his party of men with an eye of real affec-
tion. The meeting, previous to the start, was a scene
to behold. Such a greeting of old friends, well tried
and true, will never again be seen on the American
continent. The day when men went trapping was
"long time ago." Kit Carson, as he stood among his
band of friends, the acknowledged leader of the party,
every man of whom he knew wrould have periled his
life for either one of the company, felt that, indeed,
the days of his youth had returned unto him.

Everything preliminary was arranged in the most
approved style. When all was complete, Kit Carson,
mounted on his magnificent charger, Apache, riding to
the head of the line, gave the order to march. Kit had
put it to vote, and the result was unanimous, that the
expedition should be no boys' play. On the contrary,
the boldest and one of the longest of the routes known to
their experienced footsteps was selected. It comprised
many of the mighty rivers of the Rocky Mountains,
every one of which was almost a hunting ground by
itself. On\vard, over the wild and broad plains, this
band of stalwart men, brave and kindred spirits, dashed.
They soon put many a mile between them and the
comfortable firesides at Rayado. But these miles, Kit

396 BEAVER IN GREAT NUMBERS.

Carson has often said, were the shortest he ever trav-
eled. The way wras beguiled by many a recollection, in
which every man present could participate with a rel-
ish, keen as disuse alone can render the palate of en-
joyment. In a short time the well-remembered waters
of the South Fork of the River Platte were descried.
Their practiced eyes soon discovered the oft-noted
"signs of the beaver." The camp was formed and the
traps set. The beaver, so long left to mind their own
business, had increased in great numbers. The hunt
proved correspondingly successful. The party contin-
ued working down the stream through the plains of
Laramie to the North Park, and from thence on to the
South Park We cannot follow them through this
long and enlivening hunt. They trapped a large
number of their old streams until, finally, the expe-
dition terminated on the Arkansas River. Through-
out the whole course the hunt proved to be very suc-
cessful. With a large stock of furs they returned in
safety to Rayado, via the Raton Mountains, which are
spurs of the great Rocky chain.

The fact that most of the old trappers had given up
their vocation, furnishes the reason why the beaver
were found, along the entire route, to be so plentiful.
We desire that the reader shall paint for himself the
enjoyment which these men gathered in this renewal
of a pursuit rendered congenial by the experience of
long years of activity in following it. It has been our
purpose to enable the reader to gather a spark of this
same enjoyment by the endeavor to make of him an
amateur trapper. He has followed Kit Carson through-
out the trapping expeditions of his earlier life. It is to
be supposed that with Kit he has acquired some expe'-

"THERE SHE BLOWS." 397

rience. With Kit, therefore, he shall now receive his
final polishing, and if he does not in the end catch a
beaver, he shall at least learn how they are caught, and
all the necessary minutiae of toil which he must expect
to encounter and undergo.

On striking any river, when on the hunt, the trap-
pers are accustomed to keep a bright lookout for signs,
often heretofore referred to. The word "signs" con-
veys but a vague idea of its all-important meaning, as
it was received by the trappers. The news of the
presence of "signs" sent a thrill of joy through the
hunters of the olden time only equaled on board
of whale-ships when the man at the lookout cries,
" There she blows" It rarely happens that this cun-
ning, amphibious animal can be seen moving free,
either on the river banks or in the water; for nature
has given him no powerful weapons with which to de-
fend himself when surprised and attacked ; but, what
is better, she has endowed him with exceedingly sensi'
live eyesight and hearing, which enables him to detect
the approach of danger in time to escape. The marks,
however, which he leaves behind are, for a time, in-
effaceable. These were only to be detected and used
for his own purposes, by the superior intellect of man.
The unequaled industry of gnawing down trees and
cutting twigs, peeling off the tender cuticle of the
willow bushes, digging away banks, and carrying on
their shovel-shaped tail the earth, together with in-
numerable foot-prints and sometimes dams, were the
items which filled up the catalogue of "signs" on
which the trapper's vision was regaled after long and
dangerous tramps in search of them. These "signs"
were not always found together ; but, instead, they

398 EXPLODING ERRONEOUS IDEAS.

each could exist separately, and thus would arouse the
hunter's suspicion of game near by. The little twig,
as it floated down the stream, half denuded of its bark,
would go unheeded by the casual observer, but, to the
experienced trapper, it was a prize to be obtained ; for,
by its freshness, it indicated to his mind how near he
was to the chance of obtaining and adding another
pound or so of valuable fur to his stock on hand. To
him this small event, or one like it, as for instance a
fresh foot-print, with its neatly-defined claw-tracks, as
moulded in the moistened earth or sand, was of greater
importance than the wonderful and striking workman-
ship exhibited in a dam ; for, the latter might be old
and deserted, whereas, the former wTas too recent to
cause him to be deceived with such a sign ; and in
such a vicinity he hesitated not to set his trap.

An idea prevails which ought to be exploded. It is
boldly asserted that the beaver builds his dam for the
purpose of having a nice swimming-pond in the neigh-
borhood of his residence, which is always located in the
river's bank. This is not true ; for, in every stream
which he inhabits, if this was his sole object, he could
select many natural places where the water is without
a ripple and where it is both deep and broad. The ani-
mal has a wiser object in view; and it consists in pro-
viding against the pinching wants of hunger during
winter, when nearly everything green has lost its sap
and nutrition, and is, as a body, without blood and ani-
mation. He therefore chooses a place favorable for
obtaining food, and also where his labors will be assisted
by natural formations or accidents in the river's course
and construction. Having pitched upon the right section
to build, he sets to work with his fellows and fells giant

SYSTEMATIC BUILDING. 399

trees. In this he again exhibits his wonderful instinct;
for, while one party is cutting with their sharp teeth
the hard wood of one side of the tree, another division
is actively employed on the other side, never forgetting
to make, like unto the woodman, the lowest incision on
the side the tree is to fall, which, to suit their purposes, is
always directly into and across the stream. When a tree
is thus fallen, it is attacked in its branches, which are so
turned and woven together in the outline of the dam as
to catch in their meshes any floating material, or receive
the tail-loads of soil and rubbish which they carry to it.
Another and another tree are then systematically fallen
and arranged as is the first, until the work is finished
as completely as if it had been planned and executed
by a reasoning mind. The finishing stroke is the trans-
porting of the mud and laying it. In this labor, they
show themselves to be excellent masons. They now
act in concert. A large gang marches in line to the
bank, where they load each other's tails and swim with
their cargoes elevated above and free from the water.
When they arrive at an unfinished point of the dam,
they dump the mud and mould it in place. Their
houses they have previously built in the river banks
These consist of holes which lead into large and airy
subterranean rooms, and which are above the water-
mark. In these houses they are said to sleep and live
in pairs ; and, if we could believe the story of the trap-
per, related many pages back, they imitate human be-
ings in managing their household and in keeping house.
The main object they have in staying the progress of
the current of the river is to afford a deep place where,
having fallen numbers of trees, the deep water will pre-
serve tender and fresh the limbs and shrubs on which to

400 DOMESTICATED BEAVER.

subsist during, not only time present, but also time to
come. It is well known that fresh branches of trees
and young willows, when placed in water, will keep up
partial life for a considerable length of time. On this
principle, the beaver acts in submerging his food deep
in the water, where it will retain its verdure, and where
the freezing process that is going on at the surface of
the river will not bar his efforts in getting at his store
of provisions during the winter season. It is said that
the bearer goes so far as to bundle up small branches
of trees and willows, which he stows away in the muddy
bottom of the river. The trapper, in his wondrous
yarns, insists that there are grades of society among
beavers, the same as among men ; and he will have it
that they have their "head chiefs," and that often indi-
viduals among them roll in wrealth, and that they have
slaves who stand ready to do their master's bidding at
a moment's warning ; for instance, to bring them a
bundle of green twigs on which to feast. According to
their imaginative stories, the life of a beaver cannot be
rivaled in happiness ; and if we could put full credence
in their descriptions of the pastimes of the animal, his
palaces and luxuries, we could only compare a beaver
to a citizen of Venice in her most palmy days — the dif-
ference between the two being, that the former enjoyed
himself more in the water than the latter did on it in
his favorite gondola.

The beaver, when captured young, can be sufficiently
domesticated to make him a pet ; but their unattractive
form is anything but an ornament to the house. With
young children, they are very friendly, though their
disposition is amiable to any one. They are very neat
in their person, and, when moved from their comrades

SUPERSTITIOUS TRAPPERS. 401

and domiciled with human beings, nothing do they so
much like as being allowed the daily privilege of taking
a clean bath. When thus engaged, they are a curiosity
to look at, as they are very agile and particular in re-
moving every particle of dirt. We remember seeing
one of these pets in the Mexican town of Culebro thus
enjoying himself. His owner hesitated not in taking
the animal to the river, which was close by, and giving
him his freedom. On finishing his ablutions the beaver
returned to where his owner was standing, without
making an effort to escape, and by a look as much as
said, " I am ready to return to your home."

The signs having been discovered, the trappers next
select a suitable location for a camp, which they soon
occupy. After the pack animals are unloaded, a part
of the men start out to set the traps, while the remainder
busy themselves in looking after their wants and in
cooking and guarding their property, etc. The trap is
very much like the same instrument used in different
sections of the United States for catching foxes, wolves,
etc., excepting, that it is smaller and perhaps made with
more skill. Old trappers were very superstitious in
regard to the makers of their traps, for they entertained
the idea that much of their good or bad fortune de-
pended on the tools they worked with ; hence, they
always had their favorite makers, and would pay more
for their traps, than for those of any other maker. This
is true also of their rifles. For many years a rifle was
condemned at first sight if it did not have the name
of Hawkins * stamped on it, and it was not uncommon
for them, when boasting of the good qualities of their
riding animals, if they considered them of the maximum.

* Mr. Hawkins was the owner of a large gun establishment at St. Louis, Mo.

402 IN FULL DRESS FOR AN EXPEDITION.

degree of superiority, to style them " regular Hawkins
horses" thereby showing how far, in this respect, their
predilections grounded their opinions.

The setting of the trap required expertness and ex-
perience, or else it availed nothing ; for the game to be
caught is, as the reader can now readily conceive, very
wary, and his suspicions of there being anything wrong
near at hand, had to be allayed by concealing as much
as possible the instrument from view ; yet it must not
be far from the surface of the water ; and then again
it had to be firmly fixed in its position, by being made
fast to something that was firm, so as to prevent its be-
ing dragged off. The trapper, while thus engaged, is
in the water. About his waist there is a strap to which
is attached a pouch in which is carried the bait. Every-
thing being arranged, the trap is set and the bait ap-
plied, when the man notes the place where he has been
at work, so as to recognize it again, and then takes his
departure, to return early the following morning. The
beaver, during this interim, is attracted by the peculiar
scent of the bait, and. as a reward for his curiosity, he
generally is caught by one of his paws, and thus falls a
prey to the hunter's pleasure. The traps, when visited,
are relieved of the contents and then set again. The
game is put out of its misery and carried to camp,
where it is skinned, and where all the pelts recently
taken are stretched out, dried, cured, and packed in
small bales, whenever a sufficient quantity is obtained
so to do with it. The trapper, when in full dress for
an expedition, and especially after having been on one
with its concomitant hair-breadth escapes, Indian and
bear fights, etc., cuts, to all appearances, a sorrowful
figure. His wardrobe is meager in the extreme, yet it

THE TRAPPER'S OUTFIT. 403

answers all of his purposes, and the man Avould have no
other. When summed up, it would be found to consist
usually of two pairs of moccasins, one (or two pair) of
buckskin pantaloons, two woolen shirts, a loose, fringed
buckskin coat and an old slouched hat (usually made of
some kind of skin with the fur on). His baggage, lim-
ited'to a very small bundle, comprises his blankets, a
buffalo robe or two, a spare hide of dressed buckskin,
his extra garments above spoken of, and a little tobacco
(when it can be had). These, with his camp kettle and
outfit of powder, lead, extra traps, scanty allowance of
provisions, guns, pistols, horses, bridles,* saddles, etc.,
make up his traveling and working kit ; it may be only
for a few months, or it may be for years. With them
he was ready to penetrate the loftiest mountains and
unexplored regions. This is but a true picture, in a
brief space, of the appearance of Kit Carson and the
resources of his earlier days, the tools he had to work
with, the mode of doing his labor, and the habits of the
animal he diligently hunted for several years, in order
that his fellow-man might convert into a luxury the
products of his toil ; yet, had he been allowed the
choice, he would not have exchanged situations with
the consumer of the commodity. In the company of
his boon companions, and enjoying the pure mountain
air, he had often seen as happy hours as ever fell to
the lot of any man. And now he was starting out on
probably his last trapping expedition.

The party did not return to their homes until sev-

•Theso saddles and bridles are queer-looking articles; but, for use, they could not
be surpassed either for durability or comfort. Their bridle bits are the same as are used
by the Mexicans. They are very powerful, and intended for managing wild horses and
mules, particularly the latter. With one in his month, an animal cannot drink or feed.
A Mexican only waters his horse twice a day when traveling, viz., morning and night.

404 IN THE SHEEP BUSINESS.

eral months had expired, and, as much of the excite-
ment that used to pertain to their former exploits had
heen worn off from the changes brought about by civ-
ilization, they decided that this, as far as they were
concerned, should be their last trapping expedition ;
therefore, this visit to their old haunts was a sort of
funeral service performed over their early adventures.
On quitting each favorite river, the trappers felt that
they were shaking hands with the streams and bidding
them, one by one, a final good-by.

Kit Carson, after disposing of his beaver, occupied
himself in attending to his ranch, and was thus em-
ployed when news was brought to New Mexico of the
exorbitant prices which sheep were bringing in Cali-
fornia. He made up his mind to embark in a specula-
tion in those animals by collecting a herd and driving
it to that territory. He set out for the valley of Rio
Abajo, which lies to the south of Santa Fe, and there,
to his satisfaction, made his purchases. In company
with two friends, after employing a suitable number
of shepherds, he commenced his journey and traveled
northward to Fort Laramie, where he came to and fol-
lowed the emigrant road that leads direct into Cali-
fornia via Salt Lake, etc. In the month of August,
1853, after meeting with very trifling losses, as he
traveled very slowly and understood thoroughly the
business he was employed in, Kit Carson, with his flock
of sixty-five hundred sheep, reached the point of his
destination in California, where he found no difficulty
in disposing of them at the rate of five dollars and
fifty cents per head.

The making of these long journeys with such large
herds of sheep, over a diversified country, sometimes

TROUBLESOME TRIBES OF INDIANS. 405

abounding in water and grass, while on the other hand,
and not unfrequently, for many miles, the earth is bar-
ren, is a difficult task. When broad, deep and swift
rivers are to be forded, it requires dexterity and man-
agement to prevent heavy losses.

The trail which Kit Carson followed to Fort Laramie
is now a well-beaten path. It runs almost due north
from Taos, and abounds, in the proper season, in good
grass and water. For about one hundred and twenty
miles, it passes through a broken country, but when
that distance is accomplished, the traveler is ushered
on to the plains and keeps on them for most of the
way close under the Rocky Mountains. The scenery
on this route is most magnificent, and at times as grand
perhaps as can be seen in any part of the world. The
distance from Taos, Kit Carson's starting-point, to
Laramie River, is counted by hundreds of miles ; and
in this great tract of country, there lived several of the
largest and most troublesome tribes of Indians in the
far West. The names of these tribes are the Utahs,
Apaches, Arrapahoes, Cheyennes and Sioux. A man
with a large drove of sheep is so conspicuous an object
that he is certain to attract their notice and bring
them to him. Kit Carson, however, was well received
by them and allowed to pass unmolested. They were
pleased to find so formidable an enemy moving boldly
into their country and bearing the olive-branch of
peace. He, however, forgot not to pay them toll by
presenting them with a suitable number of the sheep.
In this way he prevented them from being tempted to
steal from him. This is a usual custom, and the In-
dians expect that this sort of attention will be shown
them. They do not like, at all seasons of the year, to

406 SQUAWS COLLECTING TOLL.

have these herds pass through their country. Being
so large, they eat up much of their grass, which assists
greatly to drive away the game. We remember on
one occasion that an American, in charge of several
thousand sheep, started on a journey from New Mexico
to California. Everything went prosperously with the
man until he left the Raton Mountains and entered the
country inhabited by the Arrapahoes and Cheyennes.
At first, he was received in a friendly manner by these
Indians ; but was commanded by them to rest where
he was until they went ahead and killed their annual
amount of buffalo. This the man could not do ; for
the season was so far advanced that if he delayed, and
then attempted to make California, he would be cer-
tainly overtaken by snow-storms which would bury him
and his property in the mountains. In vain he used
his best endeavors to impress this state of affairs on
the minds of the Indians. They would not listen to
him or sanction his going on, and threatened to pun-
ish him if he undertook to disobey them. Bidding
defiance to these threats, this man started ; but had
only proceeded a few miles, when a band of one hun-
dred squaws, mounted on horseback, overtook him and
dashed into his herd, and with savage delightfput to
death one hundred and fifty of the sheep before their
owner's eyes and without his being able to stop them.
The carcasses of the slaughtered animals were left to
rot on the ground, thereby showing that the Indians
did not stand in need of food, but that they wished to
teach the intruder a lesson which he would be apt to
remember. These women had been sent out by their
husbands, who no doubt were close by in case their
services should be needed, to show to the white man

PECULIARITIES OF INDIAN WOMEN. 407

the contempt they had of his power. The result was
that the American was obliged to return to New
Mexico, from whence he came. When he set out
again, he chose what is known as the Southern Route,
which runs via the Rio Gila and strikes California in
its lower section.

In the Rocky Mountains, the Indian women are
rather small in stature, but, from their constant exer-
cise they are physically very strong. They are natu-
rally not wanting in modesty ; but, being compelled to
work, and even engage in war, they soon become rough-
ened and hardened. Their dresses consist principally
of deer skins, and sometimes they are very tastefully
arranged. They give birth to their children with great
ease, and, as they have not become martyrs to fashions,
or dress, they suffer but little inconvenience from this
provision of nature. The children learn, during their
earliest years, to look out for themselves, and soon be-
come expert at it. The marriage ceremony amounts to
little or nothing, and consists of a mere barter. The
warrior is obliged to pay so many horses to the father
for the bride. We remember, on one occasion, buying
a superior pony from a trader, who said that he had
obtained him from his Indian owner with great diffi-
culty. The facts were as follows: This Indian was in
love with a young maiden of his tribe. The young
girl wished some silver ornaments which the trader
had. The only thing the warrior had to exchange for
these trinkets, was his prized pony. An old chief stood
by with the trader and saw the warrior look and sigh at
his horse. The chief gave the trader a wink, and said
in a low tone of voice to him : " That man loves his
horse and he loves his affianced bride, but the bride

408 TERRIBLE SYMPTOMS OF HYDROPHOBIA.

elect will conquer. Hold on, and he will sacrifice the
horse to please the girl. His love for her is the deep-
est feeling." Sure enough this came true, and we never
regretted that it was so. The pony proved a valuable
addition to our stock of animals.

Besides the many dangers to his flock which a person
runs the risk of, both from the numerous accidents to
which it is liable, and the unwelcome visits of the In-
dians when thus traveling, there are others which may
occasionally happen to his own person. He maybe,
while standing guard, suddenly attacked and bitten by
a mad wolf. On this event occurring, he is almost cer-
tain to be seized with that terrible, and we might as
well add incurable disease, hydrophobia, which renders
him a most pitiful object to behold. From a human be-
ing so recently respected and beloved by his companions,
a person, thus unfortunate, is suddenly changed into an
object most dreaded and detested. A party of Mexi-
cans in charge of a large herd of sheep, a few years
since, were bound to California. One night a large,
ferocious wolf entered the camp, and bit a man in the
leg. Symptoms of hydrophobia very soon set in, and
in a short time the victim was a confirmed case of the
disease. His comrades had no proper means of taking
care of and transporting him, as they were hundreds of
miles from the nearest house. They wrere superstitious,
and believed that all would die if they kept the man's
company any longer ; accordingly, they drove a stake
in the ground, to which they inhumanly secured him ;
and, after depositing a small allowance of provisions
near by, they left him to die. Human bones were
afterwards found near the identical spot where it was
said this unfortunate incident happened, which offered

ROCKY MOUNTAIN SHEEP. 409

strong circumstantial evidence that the man had eked
out a miserable existence soon after he was deserted by
his so-called friends, and also, that the truth of this story
rested upon strong probability.

When the Americans first obtained possession of
New Mexico, sheep could be bought at the rate of
twenty-five cents per head. The reason of this was,
the want of a market and the ease with which they
were raised. Cheapness of labor also assisted in reduc-
ing their value. The wool of these sheep was rather
coarse, resembling hair more than wool. The only
use in which it was employed, was for manufacturing
blankets, rough carpet, and in filling mattresses. The
valley of the Rio Grande is wonderful as a sheep grow-
ing country. The mountain districts also cannot be
excelled in this respect. Their fitness for grazing is
best exemplified by their abounding in the famous
Rocky Mountain sheep. In many respects this animal
resembles the chamois. They live on the tops of the
highest peaks, eat the tenderest grass, and produce the
finest flavored mutton in the world. One of their
heads, with the horns, often weighs one hundred
pounds. To shoot them requires all of an experienced
hunter's skill, and, when he has brought down one of
these trophies, he feels he has done more than if he
had killed ten deer. The sight of one of these moun-
tain sheep, as perched on a high, rocky peak, is beau-
tiful. The hostile Indians are the main drawback in
New Mexico, to the successful raising of sheep.

The usual modus operandi employed by Mexican
herders, who cannot be surpassed in their vocation, to
which they appear to take intuitively, although many
of them serve an apprenticeship at it, which begins

24

410 A BRIDGE OF CARCASSES.

with early life and ends only by death, is, to send a
youth who leads a goat in advance of the flock. From
some strange and unaccountable reason, the sheep
will .follow him, even to the crossing of rivers whose
currents are deep and swift. The shepherds, with their
dogs to assist them when necessary, allow the herd to
scatter over a space varying in its size, but always
allowing sufficient area so that the animals can move
on at their ease, and at the same time be able to feed.
The danger above all others that is to be apprehended
and guarded against, while thus traveling, is crowding;
for, in this manner, when journeying through deep
gorges in the mountains and over the precipitous
banks of rivers, hundreds of sheep can be, and not
unfrequently are, smothered. When this crowding
commences, it is next to impossible to arrest it ; a
sort of panic prevails over the entire herd, and they
rush on, one on top of another, until a mass of dead
and dying is thus piled up and a barrier is made ; or
else until, as most frequently happens, a bridge of car-
casses is formed over which the survivors pass in safety.
The Indians who inhabit the country on the various
routes to California, have a strong predilection for
mutton, which is a fact to bear in mind when mi-
grating with this sort of property. Such accidents as
having a few sheep bitten by rattlesnakes, and also a
certain percentage becoming foot-sore and breaking
down from fatigue, are common to every herd that
crosses the Rocky Mountains. Economy in living is
the great fundamental principle among the lower classes
of the Mexicans ; therefore, when a sheep is going to
die from fatigue, or any simple disease, natural death
is anticipated by the herders with the aid of the hunt-

KIT VISITS SAX FRANCISCO. 411

ing-knife, and the meat, being dressed and cooked, is
unhesitatingly eaten by them. Next to the Mexican
shepherd, his dog, although he is not generally a
handsome animal, is found to be ever faithful in
guarding the flocks. The greatest enemy to the herds
is the wolf; and in keeping them at bay, and prevent-
ing their inroads by night, the dog is capable of per-
forming valuable service ; hence, no band of sheep
should cross the plains and mountains without a full
complement of them. It was at one of the frontier
towns of California that Kit Carson disposed of his
flock. There, having heard of the rapid and marvel-
ous growth of San Francisco, he made up his mind to
verify these reports with his own eyes, for he was well
acquainted with its ancient aspect.

San Francisco had now had, since the year 1848, to
grow under the impulse of the gold fever. Kit Carson
remembered it, a Spanish settlement, as it existed in
1845-6-7, then containing not over two hundred in-
habitants. In 1847, the first gold discovery was made
at Sutter's Fort. In two months thereafter, about
$250,000 in gold dust were carried into the town. The
next two months, $600,000 more. In February, 1849,
the population of the town was two thousand. In six
months following, it increased to five thousand. In the
early part of the year 1850, the population had in-
creased to nearly twenty thousand. In 1852, accord-
ing to the census, it was thirty-four thousand eight
hundred and seventy, and in 1870, the population was
one hundred and forty-nine thousand four hundred and
seventy -three. Truly a marvelous growth. The first
settlement made at San Francisco was commenced
in the year 1776. The place was then called Yerba

412 WEARIED BY BEING LIONIZED.

Buena, or Good Herb, from the fact that an herb of
that name, which was supposed to have great medicinal
value, grew in rich luxuriance over the surrounding
country. The houses were at first built of adobes, or
sun-dried bricks. It is now one of the most important
cities on the western continent.

As Kit Carson neared this great emporium of Cali-
fornia, possessed of some of the details of its astonish-
ing growth, and remembering it as it existed when its
inhabitants could be easily counted in an hour, he was
perfectly astonished to behold the great changes which
a few short years had produced.

Had it not been for the immovable landmarks about
the city and the familiar scenery of the bay, he would
have been entirely at a loss in considering that this
was the spot, called San Francisco, which he had visited
in former years. This metropolis, however, like all oth-
ers, presented few attractions to Kit Carson's vision,
further than its objects of curiosity, which were a source
of interest and amusement to him. When he had fin-
ished sight-seeing he was ready and anxious to be on
his way to New Mexico. Previous to his setting out,
he went on business to Sacramento City. While there,
he received a message from his friend and partner,
Maxwell, asking him to wait until the latter could come
in with a herd of sheep from Carson River, when they
could join forces and return home together.

Kit Carson's stay in California was shortened by the
annoyance (as he considered it) of being made a lion.
His society was constantly courted by men whom he
had never seen ; he was passed free on steamboats and
to all places of public amusement ; and, in fact, the
people, in acknowledging his worth, treated him with

HIGHLY HONORED AND FAVORED. 413

marked distinction. He was pointed out, wherever he
went, as a man who had done the State great service.
This reward of his merit was indeed a just tribute to
his worth. Kit felt himself highly, honored and favored,
but he did not expect or wish such attention. He felt
himself to be a humble individual, who had honestly
and faithfully performed his duty, as it had been as-
signed to him, and his modesty would not allow him to
ask or be willing to receive any other than the unex-
pressed opinion of the people. There were some men
(there always are such persons in every community)
who sought his company expecting to hear him boast
of his deeds and proclaim himself a hero such as had
never before existed ; but, what must have been their
surprise on seeing his unassuming bearing, his disre-
gard of notoriety, and his anxiety to escape that popu-
larity which they themselves would have highly prized.
Tired by the anxiety and hard work of bringing his
property over a long and dangerous journey to a good
market, he had looked for rest and retirement ; but
instead, he was everywhere sought out and made
conspicuous.

And here we pause to speak of the noble qualities
of moral character and good judgment evinced by Kit
Carson on this occasion of his eventful life. He 'found
himself surrounded with the choice spirits of the new
El Dorado ; his name a prestige of strength and posi-
tion, and his society courted by everybody. The siren
voice of pleasure failed not to speak in his ear her most
flattering invitations. Good-fellowship took him inces-
santly by the hand, desiring to lead him into the paths
of dissipation. But the gay vortex, with all its bril-
liancy, had no attractions for him ; the wine-cup, with

414 A PROFITABLE BUSINESS OPERATION.

its sparkling arguments, foiled to convince his cairn
earnestness of character, that his simple habits of life
needed remodeling. To the storm, however, he was
exposed ; but, like a good ship during the gale, he
weathered the fierce blast, and finally took his depart-
ure from the new city of a day, with his character un-
tarnished, but nevertheless leaving behind him many
golden opinions. With a hurried farewell and many
kind remembrances of the good people of California^
he left their great city to return to a home where he
was certain to find a life better suited to his tastes.
Money-getting had no charms for him. Had he chosen
'o accept some of the offers made him while then in
Ian Francisco, he could easily have amassed an immense
^ortune. But his home had now the greater allure-
ments, and a legitimate business gave him the certainty
of comfort. The power merely which wealth assumes,
Kit Carson never had desired to grasp.

The time had nearly arrived for the appearance of
Maxwell. He finally joined Kit Carson, when the two
immediately engaged in the very profitable work of dis-
posing of their sheep. The market proved to be quite
active — so much so that they disposed of their entire
flock at high cash values without the least difficulty.
The speculation thus proved to be highly satisfactory to
all concerned. In a monetary point of view, the adven-
ture proved to be the most fortunate in which Kit Car-
son had been engaged. Heretofore, money had been
a second consideration with Kit Carson. He had di-
rected his energies and attention to almost everything,
or at least to many things besides its accumulation.

The sums which he had received for the important
services rendered both to government officers and pri-

KIT DOES NOT LIKE THE SEA. 415

vate individuals, had been expended on the wants of
his family and on his suffering friends and countrymen.
A trifling amount had always sufficed to satisfy his own
immediate desires. The calls upon his purse, at the
end of each year, had left, therefore, but little which
he could call his own. The snug sum now at his dis-
posal, Kit Carson determined to lay by ; and serving
as a nucleus, around it, he has since accumulated
enough amply to supply those comforts which will tend,
in his old age, to make him happy. Maxwell and Car-
son decided to return to their homes by the southern
route, which runs through the country on and adjacent
to the Rio Gila. Maxwell determined to take a
steamer down the coast as far as Los Angelos, distant
from San Francisco about three hundred and fifty miles,
and used his best endeavors to persuade his friend Kit
Carson to accompany him. In this, however, he failed.
Already one cruise over a part of the ocean route
which Maxwell contemplated making, had been made
by Kit Carson in 1846, and which had so sickened him
of sea life, that he resolved never to travel on salt
water again while it was in his power to obtain a mule
to assist him in journeying by land. Maxwell, by his
water conveyance, reached Los Angelos fifteen days in
advance of Kit Carson, and employed himself in mak-
ing the necessary preparations for their trip to New
Mexico. When Kit rejoined his companion, everything
was in readiness for them to proceed on their route,
and, in a day or so afterwards, they started. Every-
thing favored them until they reached a village belong-
ing to some Pimo Indians, and located on the Rio Gila.
Here the grass became suddenly very scarce. They
learned from these Indians that the season had been

416 A PRAIRIE ON FIRE.

unusually dry, and that, if they attempted to proceed
on the regular trail, they would do so at the risk of
losing their animals by starvation. While undecided
as to which was the best course to pursue, Kit Carson
informed the party that he could guide them over a
new route which, though difficult and rough to travel,
he felt confident would afford sufficient forage to an-
swer all their purposes. At once the men agreed to
be governed by their experienced friend's advice, and,
having signified to him their willingness to do so, they
resumed their march, following up the Rio Gila, until
they came to the mouth of the San Pedro, when they
struck out up the latter for three days, and then parted
with it to risk the chances of reaching, at the end of
each day, the small mountain creeks that lay on their
contemplated route. After traveling in as direct a
course as the nature of the country would admit, they
arrived seasonably at the copper mines of New Mexico.

One day the party found themselves entirely desti-
tute of fresh meat, and Carson, with three men, includ-
ing a friendly Pimo Indian, started out for a hunt, ex-
pecting to be gone but for a few hours, the balance
of the party in the meantime going into camp, to await
their return.

For some days the air had been filled with a disagree-
able and suffocating smoke, indicating a distant fire,
which seemed to be rapidly working its way towards
them. At times the sun was completely obscured by
low, black clouds.

Night came, and Carson and party did not return,
and the dark clouds which overhung them like an im-
mense mantle, now assumed a horrible lurid glare all
along the horizon, which in no degree tended to lessen

WAITING IN HORRIBLE SUSPENSE. 417

their anxiety. No one in the party felt competent to
guide the band to a place of safety, and one and all
thought their last day had come. All through the
night they watched and waited. As far as the eye
could reach was a glowing belt of fire, eagerly devour-
ing everything that came in its way. What could be
the fate of the hunting party ? The first thought was,
that they had been attacked and killed by their old
enemies, the Indians ; but this seemed hardly possible,
for they were not then in a hostile country. They
could but wait in horrible suspense. The morning
came, and they found that the fire had almost encom-
passed them, and hastily packing their mules, prepared
to make their escape. As they were about to start,
one of the party gave a loud cheer, and pointed in the
direction of the fire, from whence, coming at full speed,
the long-looked-for Carson and comrades appeared. No
time was lost in getting out of the uncomfortable
position in which the fire had placed them. Carson, it
seems, had started off in search of game, which, being
unusually scarce, led him a long distance from camp.
He had noticed the fire ; but, from the direction which
it was then taking, it could not reach his friends, and,
consequently, it caused him no uneasiness. A sudden
change of the wind, however, started the fire directly
for the camp, and cut off his retreat. He at once put
spur to his horse, and made a long detour, hoping to
meet his companions of the hunt and enter the camp
on the opposite side. He rode nearly all night, and at
last succeeded in finding his friends, when it was de-
cided to make a break directly through the fire, which
was successfully done, much to the joy of the encamped
party.

418 A ROUGH AND RUGGED RCAD.

While pursuing this experimental journey f Kit Car-
son, who was well acquainted with the general outline
of the country, but was not equally conversant with it
in reference to the certainty of finding eligible camp-
ing-sites, where wood, water and grass, presented them-
selves in abundance, was frequently made the subject
of a tantalizing joke by the men of the party.

Occasionally his memory would not solve the ques-
tion, what is the next course ? He had neither map,
chart, nor compass, and depended entirely upon old
landmarks. Occasionally the resemblance of different
mountains, one to another, would serve to embarrass
him. For a time, he would become doubtful as to the
exact course to pursue. At such moments, the mis-
chievous dispositions of the men would get the better
of their judgment, and they would exert their lungs
in shouting to him, as he spurred his riding animal to
keep out of the sound of their raillery. He was not
always successful in this, and occasionally a few sen-
tences reached him like the following :

« Hurrah ! "

" I say ! are you the famous Kit Carson, who knows
this country so well ? "

"Are you really a good pilot, or are you lost? "

These and similar expressions saluted Kit's ear — a
language to which he had not been heretofore accus-
tomed— as some impediment, such as a fallen tree, a
rock, a swamp, or a creek staid, for a brief period,
his progress, thus allowing the party to approach
within speaking distance. The remarks might have
temporarily chafed his spirit ; but he had too much
good sense to allow his friends to see that they had
gained any advantage over him. He rode boldly on,

CARSON APPOINTED INDIAN AGENT. 421

and answered their raillery with silence. He knew,
however, very well, that his turn would come ; and,
when he had brought them in safety to a spot with
which all were familiar, he turned the tables on them
by retorting to their questions in a playful manner,
which made their future interpretation of his occa-
sional doubt less sweeping in its conclusions.

Kit succeeded in guiding the party safely to the Cop-
per Mines, from whence their route was plain. From
the Copper Mines the party traveled through to the
Rio del Norte. This river is 1,800 miles in length, and
forms the boundary line between Texas and Mexico.
It takes its rise in the Rocky Mountains and empties
into the Gulf of Mexico. It is navigable for small
steamers, sloops and schooners, for a distance of about
four hundred and fifty miles from its mouth. About
nine hundred miles from its mouth, there is a spot
where the river is only about three or four feet deep.
Here the Apache and Camanche Indians always cross
when on their depredatory tramps into Mexico.

Leaving the Rio Grande or del Norte, the party pur-
sued their homeward route through the settlements of
the Rio Abago and Santa Fe, and finally reached Taos
on the twenty-third day of December, 1853.

Soon after the party entered the territory of New
Mexico, Kit Carson accidentally met the Mormon del-
egate to Congress. That person informed Kit Carson
that the appointment of an Indian Agent had been
conferred upon him.

On learning this piece of intelligence, Kit was much
elated. He felt that the office was perfectly suited to
his tastes, and he was honestly impressed with the be-
lief that he was capable of performing the duties of

422 THE JICCARILLA APACHES.

this office, and of accomplishing much good. His hap-
piness and pride were heightened by thinking that,
finally, his services had met the approbation of his
government, the substantial proof of which was the
offering to him of an important trust without solicita-
tion on his part. Immediately on arriving at Taos, he
wrote an answer to the authorities at Washington, in
which he expressed his willingness to serve the gov-
ernment, and the pleasure he felt in accepting the
office ; at the same time he sent the necessary bond
required of persons who hold this appointment.

Hardly had Kit Carson been ushered into his new
duties before the Jiccarilla Apaches, who formed one
of the tribes of his agency, began to show new signs
of dissatisfaction by committing various kinds of out-
rages on the property and lives of the citizens of the
northern part of New Mexico. To arrest them in their
career and make them amenable for the crimes they
had already committed, Lieutenant Bell, of the Second
Regiment of United States Dragoons, was sent in quest
of them. He found them on the Red River, and at
once commenced operations against them. At first,
these red men were equally ready to break a lance in
combat with their foes ; but, after the soldiers had made
two charges and penetrated through and through their
ranks, they were, although in superior numbers, glad
to give up the mastership of the field, and rim away.
In this fight, the Apaches lost, by his being killed, one
of their great chiefs, besides many warriors. On the
side of the soldiers, two men were killed and several
seriously wounded.

A short time after the news of the skirmish had
reached Taos, Kit Carson found it necessary, in order

BEARDING THE LION IN HIS DEN. 423

to attend to some official business, to proceed to Santa
Fe ; but, just as he was on the point of setting out, he
was informed that a large party of these Jiccarilla
Apaches had recently arrived at a place in the moun-
tains only about twenty miles from Taos, and were
there encamped. With the view of pacifying them if
possible, Kit Carson immediately posted thither ; and,
with no small degree of peril attending his movements
— for he went unattended, and among Indians who
were at the time very bitter against the whites — he
confronted their '"'head men " in their den. He needed
no introduction, for, during many years, he had been
well known to them. Therefore he proceeded, at once,
to business. After passing through the usual Indian
salutations, he commenced by haranguing them in a
style that most pleases their fancy, thereby fixing their
attention on what he was saying. Among other things,
he forewarned them that the course they were pursuing,
if persisted in, would prove the cause of their being
exterminated, as their "Great Father," the President,
had at his disposal thousands of soldiers to replace
those who fell in battle, while, when their warriors
were killed, they could not immediately place others in
their moccasins. When a warrior was killed, they were
compelled to wait until their children grew up. He
added, that the " Great Father " loved his red children,
and through him, whose servant he was, he wished to
give them annuities and otherwise aid them in living
at peace. These Indians, on learning that Kit Carson
was their agent, expressed great pleasure, and, at his
earnest solicitation, came forward and professed friend'
ship. So little reliance, however, was to be placed in
this tribe, that Kit Carson doubted their sincerity ;

424 LIEUTENANT DAVIDSON IN THE FIELD.

although he exacted every pledge which he thought
would in the least tend to bind them to their promises,
he feared they would not prove true. Having finished
his business, Kit bent his way to Santa Fe ; but, he had
not more than reached there before he heard that the
Jiccarillas had already become tired of the restraints
which he had placed upon them, and had broken out in
open defiance of the authorities. From this time on-
ward, so thick and fast did their wicked crimes in-
crease, that coercive measures became necessary to put
them down. This finally resulted in as sanguinary a
battle being fought between a small band of soldiers
and this tribe, as was ever recorded.

A rapid sketch of it must suffice to illustrate to the
reader what kind of a fight this was, and what plucky
fellows these Apaches are. Lieutenant J. W. Davidson,*
with a command of sixty men belonging to F and I com-
panies of the First Regiment of United States Dragoons,
was ordered out to seek and act against these red men.
Both the soldiers and their officers were renowned for
their bravery and experience in Indian mode of war-
fare ; hence, more than ordinary deeds were expected
to be performed by them. The result will show that
they did not disappoint any reasonable expectation.
Lieutenant Davidson marched to the " Embuda Moun-
tains" (which range lies between fifteen and twenty
miles southwest of Taos), as he had been informed by
good authority that the Indians were to be found
there.

On reaching the mountains he soon came upon the
savages, and found them fully prepared to meet him.

• Lieutenant Davidson (then) is now Lieutenant Colonel of the 10th U. S. Cavalry. He
served with marked distinction during our late civil war.

MANOEUVRING AMONG THE ROCKS. 425

They had selected their ground with great skill. The
site which they had chosen was upon a high elevation,
and at the first glance, to get at them appeared to be
an impossibility, on account of the roughness of the
country. If the Indians had hunted over the whole of
the Rocky Mountains they could not have hit upon a
place that oifered them so many advantages for the use
to which they intended to put it ; but, as the red men
had, by great labor, reached the tops of the crags,
therefore, the soldiers resolved not to be outdone,
even if they had to be the assaulting party.

The strength of the Apaches amounted to eight
lodges, or two hundred and forty warriors ; and, as
they were on foot and without their families, they
were entirely unencumbered. Lieutenant Davidson's
first manoeuvre was to send in advance a small party,
whose duty it was to act as spies, wrhile at the same
time they endeavored to engage the Indians in a talk,
of which they are usually so fond ; but the courage of
the red men was apparently much elevated on seeing
the smallness of the whole force sent against them ;
therefore they received the advance with such cold-
ness that the latter soon after gladly retreated to their
companions, who were halted on the little creek that
runs by the foot of the mountains. Lieutenant David-
son now saw that his only course was to commence the
attack and trust to fortune and the bravery of his men.
Therefore he ordered the gallant fellows to dismount,
and after leaving their horses with a small guard, they
commenced the work of scrambling up the rocks, so
that they might get at and dislodge the enemy. In
this they succeeded, notwithstanding they met with a
powerful and determined resistance. In the attempt,

426 WAR-WHOOPS AND UNEARTHLY SHOUTS.

five soldiers were killed ; and when the dragoons had
reached the highest eminence of the mountains, they
found, to their disappointment, that the Apaches had
not taken to flight, according to their anticipations, but
instead, they were scattering and surrounding them.
There being great danger, as already demonstrations
were visible in that quarter, that the Indians would
capture the horses of the soldiers, therefore Lieutenant
Davidson placed himself at the head of his men and
led them back to the spot where the animals were con-
gregated. In so doing he was obliged to fight his way,
as every foot of ground he passed over was stoutly con-
tested ; but at last he arrived, just in time to save
them. The fight then became desultory, but despe-
rate, on the part of the soldiers ; for the Indians, by
concealing themselves behind rocks, trees and what-
ever came in their way, were quite secure against in-
jury from the carbines and revolvers of the whites,
while from their side came a deadly fire that fast di-
minished the numbers of their adversaries. In vain
did the dragoons charge them and cause the foremost
of the enemy to retreat to their friends in the rear.
Lieutenant Davidson soon found his party so much
crippled in strength, that he saw he could no longer
protect his horses and at the same time carry on the
combat against such great odds. When there was lit-
tle left that he could do except to offer himself and
men as targets to be shot at, Lieutenant Davidson re-
luctantly ordered his men to retreat.

In obeying this command, the soldiers had not more
than wheeled about, when down came the foe in full
pursuit, making the very air ring with their war-whoops
and unearthly shouts. So bold did these Indians become

A VICTORY FOR THE APACHES. 427

from the victory which they had achieved, that they
charged so hotly and so near the soldiers that the latter
\vere compelled, in self-defence, to turn and, in a hand-
to-hand contest, beat them off. After resisting a suc-
cession of these assaults, the command finally gained
the main road. Upon counting his men, Lieutenant
Davidson found that twenty of them were killed and
left behind on the battle-field ; and that, out of the
surviving forty, hardly one man had escaped being
wounded, thereby showing, considering the numbers
engaged, how bravely the fight had been maintained,
and how gallantly each one had endeavored to turn the
tide of affairs to a more favorable result.

The course pursued by, and even the bravery of,
Lieutenant Davidson in this affair, has been unjustly
assailed and questioned by some persons who have
prpbably been misinformed on the subject. Judging
from the evidence of his companions, there was not a
more courageous man on that ground than the officer
in command. Kit Carson refutes the accusation made
against his friend in the following strain : " I am inti-
mately acquainted with Lieutenant Davidson, and have
been in engagements with him where he has taken a
prominent part, and can testify that he is as brave and
discreet as it is possible for a man to be. Nearly every
person engaged in, and who survived that day's bloody
battle, has since told rne that his commanding officer
never once sought shelter, but stood manfully exposed
to the aim of the Indians, encouraging his men and
apparently entirely unmindful of his own life. It was,
however, in the retreat they say that he acted the most
gallantly, for, when everything was going badly with
the soldiers, he was as cool and collected as if under

25

428 THE DEAD TERRIBLY MUTILATED.

the guns of his fort. The only anxiety he exhibited was
for the safety of his remaining men. "

The Indians must have lost many of their warriors
in this fight, but the exact number has never been as-
certained. The news of the defeat was brought by the
retreating soldiers themselves to the town of Taos?
where, on hearing it, for a short time, consternation
seized hold of its inhabitants ; but slowly they calmed
down, and a party consisting of Americans and Mexi-
cans with wagons, \vas sent out to bring in the mutila-
ted remains of the fallen. On reaching the field, the
dead were found, but they were all mutilated and
stripped of all their clothing. The Indians had left
nothing which they thought might be turned to the
least account. One poor fellow had escaped the rigid
scrutiny of the red men by crawling to an obscure
place where he had died from his wounds. On his body
was found a belt that contained three hundred dollars
in gold — his hard earnings that he had been saving up
against a day of need. Had the savages known of this
money, they would not have left it, for they are quite
familiar with the use, if not with the real value of
gold. A few days later, the Apaches made their ap-
pearance in a small Mexican settlement which was far
distant from the scene of their success. They were
dressed in portions of the uniforms and accoutrements
taken from the dead dragoons; and, as they sauntered
about the town, they would salute each other in mili-
tary style, and otherwise mock- the actions of the mili-
tary men. Cjilling for a piece of paper, one fellow,
with a bit of charcoal, pretended to write on it an order.
No doubt, by so doing, he thought he was imitating
something of the kind which he had seen done at a

INDIANS IMITATING CIVILIZATION. 429

military post. After making a few scratches on the
paper, he handed it to one of his red companions, and,
with a smile on his rough countenance, addressed to him
some directions in reference to the document. Although
the Mexicans were much amused at these burlesque
actions of the Indians, yet they did not dare to show
their mirth until the latter had departed and left them
in possession of their lives.

The day following the one on which the fight had
taken place, Kit Carson returned from Santa Fe and
passed near to the spot where the soldiers had been so
roughly handled ; but he did not see a visage of an
Apache. They had, by that time, traveled to the west
side of the Rio del Norte. Indeed, he anticipated no
danger to himself, as he was well aware that the safest
time to travel through any section of an Indian
country, is just after the savages have been guilty of
some high-handed act. They are then, instinctively,
as some may say, but, as the fact appears to us, by
use of their reasoning powers, well aware that active
measures will be set on foot to repay them for their
rascality.

The trail which, on this occasion, Kit Carson trav-
eled over in coming from Santa Fe, is one of the most
interesting routes, in safe times, that the mere traveler
can select. It comprises some of the most beautiful
scenery in New Mexico. The length of the trail is
about seventy-five miles, and so many windings and
turns does it make through mountains, forests and
gorges, that every hundred yards furnishes a suitable
place for an Indian ambuscade. The largest part of
the country which lies between Taos and Santa Fe, is
mountainous ; therefore, this trail is one series of

430 MAGNIFICENT MOUNTAIN SCENERY.

ascents and descents. The greatest pitch is near the
scene of the fight in which Lieutenant Davidson and
his command were engaged, where the path, in order
to avoid an almost perpendicular declivity, makes a
zigzag course. To accomplish the ascent of this
mountain on a good riding animal, it takes at least two
hours; therefore the height of the mountain can be
easily imagined by those accustomed to mountain climb-
ing. On reaching some of these immense eminences,
the scenery is principally formed by the broken
country, studded here and there with mountains, which
appear as if in miniature, as well as real. Between are
valleys, rivers, creeks, canons, etc., which render the
views truly grand. There is sufficient woodland, plenty
of pure air, and different species of game in great
abundance playing about, and filling up the picture
with life. To use the words of romance, this does not
fail to make the scenery perfect. The trail runs through
hamlets and villages, which come in at the proper dis-
tances and form great auxiliaries to the traveler, when
fatigued by horseback riding; for, at most of these
places, the traveler can find rest for the night, always
provided that he be willing to submit to a multitude
of inconveniences.

The most desirable place at which to stop, on this
trail, was a town nearly midway between Taos and
Santa Fe. It was called Rio Arriba. In this village the
traveler could obtain many comforts which were denied
him even in the larger towns. At the time of which
we write, it was a very difficult matter for loaded car-
avans to pass direct from Santa Fe to Taos ; but the
United States government afterwards took the matter
in hand and appropriated large sums of money for

MOUNTAIN SCENERY.

QUILLS FULL OF GOLD DUST. 431

making a good road between the two places ; there-
fore, soon after, the transit was accomplished with ease
and safety. Scattered over the country adjacent to
this trail now under consideration, there were many
hamlets and villages which were being greatly aug-
mented by new settlers yearly. Many of these had
been seldom, if ever, visited by white men, and the
minute geography of this tract of country was still in
the embryo. Perhaps a new El Dorado is there in
store for mankind, and that some day its resources will
receive an impetus and be developed by the sudden
discovery of valuable mines therein. This is no chi-
merical illusion ; it scarcely rests upon an uncertainty;
for, the mineral wrealth of New Mexico, we are firmly
persuaded, is still in its infancy. To use trapper lan-
guage, judging from "signs" which exist there in
abundance, we shall not be surprised to hear, in time,
that this territory has turned out to be a second Cali-
fornia. Rumors of gold, and even specimens of the
article itself, are frequent in many parts of the country ;
but the poverty of the inhabitants keeps them from
searching as they ought in order to make the discovery.
The Americans find a more profitable business in com-
merce and trade, therefore they but seldom indulge in
speculations designed to develop the mineral wealth
of the country ; but nevertheless, they have faith that
gold, in immense quantities, exists there, and believe
that, in time, scientific men will disclose the fact and
position. We have seen quills full of gold dust which
has been collected there, and we are well acquainted
with men who have washed out from several streams
in the northern part of the Territory, the value of two
and a half dollars per diem ; but, with the high prices

432 - MISTAKEN" LOCATION.

of living, this rate of produce cannot be made to pay
unless the work shall be carried on by the assistance
of capital.

On this trail to Santa Fe there are several small
Pueblos which are inhabited by the descendants of the
ancient Aztecs. These settlements, generally, are
quite thrifty, and exhibit many external appearances
of comfort. To prepare and cultivate the soil, it takes
much labor in irrigating and bestowing other farming
operations upon the land in order to bring crops to
perfection. Hence these people, like the New Mex-
icans, can realize from their toil but little beyond their
own subsistence. This trail, as it approaches Santa Fe,
enters through groves of small pines which are many
miles in extent. In such places the ground is sandy
and the vegetation poor in the extreme. It has proved
an exceedingly difficult problem, for more than one
mind, to solve the reason why the capital of the Terri-
tory should have been located in such a barren section of
the country. Perhaps it was because this was the most
central spot that could be selected, although such a
reason can hardly be offered in sober earnestness. The
most charitable reasoning which we can offer for it, is
because the Mexicans knew no better. It is true there
are valuable silver mines near by ; but this could only
cause a town to be raised to suit the miners and not to
form the attraction where the elite of New Mexican
society should for so many years congregate.

Santa Fe is located on a plateau of ground which
is about seven thousand feet above the level of the sea.
The town itself contains about five or six thousand in-
habitants, which includes all races. It is built of
adobes, or sun-burnt brick, and occupies both sides

THE CAPITAL OF NEW MEXICO. 433

of a small stream, which is called the Rio Chidlo and
which flows into the Rio Grande nearly twenty miles
from the town. The site of Santa Fe is low when
compared with the altitude of the surrounding country,
being bounded on nearly all sides by lofty mountains.
One qf these mountains is quite famous. It is the
loftiest of all in that section of country, and is capped
during the greater part of the year with snow. As is
invariably the case with the large majority of Mexi-
can towns, there is but little regularity in the streets of
Santa Fe ; but yet, the plaza is easily reached by sev-
eral avenues. Santa Fe at one time formed the grand
commercial emporium of the great interior continent
of North America ; and its trade diverged to every
point of the compass. The extent of this trade can be
realized when we assert the fact that, with the State of
Missouri alone it amounts annually to several mil-
lions of dollars. The stores in the town are mostly
owned, and the mercantile business chiefly carried on,
by Americans. These American speculators are cele-
brated for the daring manner with which they launch
out their money upon various enterprises. With them,
the greater the risk when their chances appear that
th3 gain will be large, the more eager they are in fa-
cing the hazard. They sometimes lose, but oftentimes
realize large fortunes. The appearance of these stores
is captivating to the fancy, and many of them would
be ornaments to any of the larger cities or towns of the
East. The most expensive articles of luxury and dress
are to be found in them, and in these distant parts such
property commands a price which would startle and
quite shake the nerves of a prince ; but, when the
people can obtain the money, they purchase every-

434 A SANTA FE SENORITA.

thing which their fancy dictates. A Santa Fe senorita
dashes in her rich silks which have cost hundreds of dol-
lars with as much grace as does one of the Washington
or Fifth Avenue belles, clothed in the same luxuriant
style. In Santa Fe, we are sorry to say, it requires
vice of the worst shade for women to support such a
style of living ; but the morals of the Mexicans are so
loose in all classes, that virtue is boldly parted with by
both sexes in a spirit which the triumphs of natural
reason alone ought to prevent, and which no lover of
humanity can admire or tolerate. Gambling, in this
town, has long held its full sway, and many is the vic-
tim which this wretched wickedness has prematurely
hurried into a vortex, from which there has been no
recovery.

The palmy days of gambling, in San Francisco, have
been rivaled in the little town of Santa Fe, and the
boldness with which the Mexican player will part
with his last dollar, shows the hardened state to which
the man, and, what is perhaps worse, the woman, have
been brought, by years of habitual playing for money.
In olden times, the Mexicans used to travel hundreds
of miles, and bring their money with them, in order to
squander it at their favorite game of monte. Not only
this fact is true, but men will often sell themselves into
the slavery of debt in order to satisfy their craving de-
sire to gamble.

The town of Santa Fe is watered by azequias or small
canals, which are used in every section of the Terri-
tory, with which to irrigate the soil. Near the town,
and on a hill adjoining, stands the ruins of Fort Marcy?
which was used by the American Volunteers during the
conquest of the country in 1846. This fort commands

THE BUILDINGS OF SANTA FE. 435

the town ; and, for the purpose which governed its
building it answered very well. There are several good
boarding-houses in Santa Fe, and several hotels which
are well fitted up, and well kept. They form the ren-
dezvous for the whole town. The commanding general
of the military department which comprises the Terri-
tory of New Mexico, with his staff, makes this town his
head-quarters. There is also a garrison of American
soldiers stationed in the town. The governor of the
Territory, the judges, surveyor and all the government
officials, of any importance, make this place their home.
The Territorial buildings, being the halls of legislation,
and such other buildings as are necessary for the State
and Territorial purposes, both finished and under process
of erection, are located in Santa Fe. On one side of
the plaza there stands a long, low building known as
the Palace. No one, however, would be aware of the
fact if not informed of it ; for the building has more
the appearance of having been intended for a rope-
walk than for the assemblage of savants, who were to
discuss and arrange matters of state and public inter-
est. Notwithstanding the small pretensions in the way
of architecture which the Palace presents, nevertheless,
within it, there have lived old Mexican governors who
ruled their people with a rod of iron, and whose fiery
impulses went forth as just and equitable law. These
tyrants — for it was very seldom that the poor and ig-
norant New Mexicans were favored with a good, wise
and just governor — governed on the principle of self-
aggrandizement. Being far separated from their home
government, they took care to smother all evil reports,
while the good, only, were allowed to circulate ; and
these, so far as the home government was concerned,

436 PIONEER LAWS OF NEW MEXICO.

solely by their authority, in order to have the desired
effect to retain them in office. In this they were usu-
ally successful, as they generally retained their lucra-
tive positions until cut off by death, or until they had
amassed^a fortune which made their tasks burdensome.
Many of these men might have been envied by the
richest of Americans, so far as wealth is considered.
They were so envied by the wealthy men at the capi-
tal of the republic. These provinces of Mexico were
the Indies where troublesome opponents were to be
sent by government, to suck, like leeches, the public
treasury, and thus obtain their fill to repletion. When
the United States came into possession of New Mexico,
affairs were somewhat tempered to the state of reason
and justice ; but, a people who had so long been kept
down, could not at once appreciate the value of the
changes ; consequently, they have been slow in ele-
vating their heads to the proper standard of men.
The legislature of New Mexico, as it has been recog-
nized under the constitution of the United States, re-
sembles other forms of territorial governments. This
statement is true in theory, but not in practice ; for it
is impossible to collect an uneducated people, unused
to self-government, and allow them to steer their own
bark as law-makers, without observing that they make
many openings for serious mistakes to creep in, which
are and should be severely criticised. The pioneer
laws, as they came from the first New Mexican legisla-
ture, were faulty in the extreme. They seemed to
point out wickedness as a punishment for wickedness.
If we desired to afford our readers a laugh, we should
permit them to read many of these laws. The simple
perusal of them would cause merriment equal to the

GRADUALLY MENDING THEIR WATS. 437

most laughable comedy. Had it not been for the few
white men, who, from, time to time, have found their
way into the legislature of New Nexico, the whole body
would long since have lost themselves in the depth of
learning which their untutored minds had undertaken
to engraft upon their statute books. The members of
this body, for a long time, turned their attention more
to the emoluments which naturally accrued from their
position, than to endeavors to steady the helm of gov-
ernment for the good of their country. In order to
save their pay, they studied economy, which caused
them to make a beggarly appearance, and, in the eyes
of the white men, they were often contemptibly mean.
Greatly predominating in numbers, the Mexicans of
course had no difficulty in ruling the country ; and they
naturally preferred their own countrymen in filling
the law-making department of their government. The
consequence was, that they thus obtained a crowd of
legislators who could hardly read. By the aid of a few
schools, an enlightened press, and the examples of a
few worthy Americans, they are gradually mending
their ways in this respect ; and the time will come, in
a few years, when the legislature of New Mexico will
compare favorably with its sister territories ; but this,
not until education has made her indelible mark upon
the people.

The town of Santa Fe is provided with a Roman
Catholic church, which, under the judicious manage-
ment of the present bishop and clergy, is doing what it
can to improve the condition of the Mexican popula-
tion. Other religious denominations have not yet been
fully developed, although the attempt is being made to
establish churches of the Protestant faith on a sure and

438 THE 110MAX CATHOLIC FAITH.

permanent footing ; but this, although we regard it as
certain, will take time, for the majority of the people,
lean strongly to the Roman Catholic faith. It is a very
singular fact, that among the population of seventy
thousand souls included in the limits of the Territory
of New Mexico, there have been such feeble and vain
attempts made by Protestant missionaries to bring the
people to their mode of thinking. The task might
have been impossible when the country was under the
jurisdiction of old Mexico ; but, since it has changed
masters, this excuse does riot hold good. The Mexi-
cans, as a body, learn readily ; they easily discern be-
tween right and wrong ; and, as the field for Christian
enterprise to work in is large enough for all sects, it is
strange that the Protestant church is not found labor-
ing in the good cause, side by side with its Roman
Catholic friend. It is true, there are a few persons
struggling on under the auspices of the Protestant
church ; but they are so few that they are seldom met
in the great expanse of the country. Santa Fe has
long been celebrated as having a depraved population;
but, as honest and honorable men are now working
with satisfactory success for a reformation , the day
cannot be far distant when this town will redeem
itself. It is true that, not many years back, Santa
Fe was filled with gamblers and desperadoes of all
grades j but, at the present time, law and order is be-
ginning to predominate, and it is to be hoped that the
next generation will see a better state of affairs. The
vices which have characterized the inhabitants have
not been confined, by any means, to the Mexicans ;
but rather they have been exemplified in those Ameri-
cans with bad characters, who have, from time to time,

MERE MATTERS OF ACCIDENT. 439

crept in among the people. These men, in several
instances, have set examples which the most debased
Mexican would hesitate to follow.

The appearance of Santa Fe, from an outside view,
is anything but striking. Its houses, like most Mexi-
can buildings, are seldom higher than one story, and,
with few exceptions, they are entirely wanting in
beauty. They are built after what may be styled a
Mexican mode of architecture, and consist of a series
of rooms which encircle an open square or court, the
access to which is through a large portal. These
buildings are usually huddled together towards the
centre or plaza, while, in the outskirts of the town,
they are greatly scattered. The arrangement of the
streets appears as if they were mere matters of acci-
dent rather than matters of system or intention. The
town is ornamented by few, if any, trees, while the
general appearance of the adjacent country, as has
been seen, is barren. The markets of the town are
but sparingly supplied with a variety, and those
articles which are the most common, bring, compar-
atively speaking, good prices. Not many miles from
Santa Fe there are famous silver mines, which for
many years were worked almost entirely by hand.
Within a recent date machinery has been introduced
by some enterprising Americans, and the precious sil-
ver ore is being brought to light in large quantities.
In point of amusement, the people still cling to the
pleasures of the fandango; and, as this town is much in
advance of any other in the Territory, the Santa Fe
balls are carried on, sometimes, on quite a grand scale.
The majority of them are the places of resort for the
free classes of society. The more respectable people

440 FROM SANTA FE TO THE MISSOURI RIVER.

seldom attend them, and then only when they are cer-
tain that they will find the ceremonies conducted in
the spirit which administers really to pleasure and not
to excess. The distance from Santa Fe to the Missouri
River, is in the neighborhood of nine hundred miles.
The road, for the first one hundred miles towards the
Santa Fe terminus, is rough and hilly ; but, after that,
it strikes out on the open plains, and is as level as can
possibly be for such an immense distance. It is over
this beautiful road that we have several times described
Kit Carson as he traveled to and from the United States,
though more frequently, as has been seen, he preferred
routes of his own selection, which enabled him, with
his small escorts, to elude the vigilant watch of hostile
Indians.

A FRESH CAMPAIGN. 441

CHAPTER XVI.

A fresh Campaign set on foot — Colonel Cook in Command — Kit Carson
goes as Guide — The Apaches and Utahs leagued together — The Rough-
ness of the Country and the Privations to which the Command was
exposed — The Indians overhauled — A running Fight — The Advantages
gained — The Chase resumed — The Apaches resort to their old Tricks
— Colonel Cook is obliged to return to Abiquiu — A Utah taken Pris-
oner through Mistake — Kit Carson goes to Taos and has a Conference
with the Chiefs of the Utah Nation — Cook's second Scout — He is
caught in a furious Snow-storm and is obliged to return to Rio Col-
orado— Major Brooks and Re-inforcements come to the Rescue — Major
Brooks on the Lookout, but fails to find the Indians — Carleton's Ex-
pedition— Kit Carson goes with it as Guide — The Adventures met
with — Kit Carson's Prophecy comes true — The Muache Band of Utahs
summoned by Kit Carson to a Grand Council — Troubles brewing
among these Indians — The Small-Pox carries off their Head Men.

To retrieve the ground lost, and also, to show the
Jiccarilla Apaches that their recent victory had tended
only to stimulate the movements of the Americans to a
display of greater activity and energy, after a brief
space of time, a large body of regular troops were made
ready to take the field against them. The commander
of this expedition was Colonel Cook of the Second Regi-
ment of United States Dragoons. That officer chose
for his principal guide Kit Carson, whose peace duties
as Indian Agent had been abruptly arrested by the war-
like attitude of some of his Indians. It was necessary,
also, that Kit Carson should be on the ground in case
the red men were overtaken, in order to ascertain

442 PUEBLO INDIANS AS SPIES.

whether, or no, the Utahs were mixed up with the op-
erations of the Apaches. A large branch of the former
tribe were part and parcel of his agency, and the two
nations were known to be on very friendly terms with
each other ; consequently, it was surmised that they
might be secretly, and under disguise, acting together
in the war.

Colonel Cook employed, besides the troops of the
line which were under his command, some forty men
selected from among the Mexican and Pueblo Indians,
whose duties were to act as spies and trailers.

These Pueblos were selected for spies on account of
their being familiar with Indian habits, and their mode
of warfare. They wrere taken from among the best
hunters which the Pueblo villages could furnish. They
presented themselves provided with their own horses,
rifles, and, in most cases, with their own ammunition,
and were supplied only with their rations of food.
When it was practicable, they were allowed to kill
game; and, being very expert at it, they seldom re-
turned from a hunt open-handed. Their peaceful mode
of life prevented them from engaging in any deep
league with the hostile Indians; but yet, there is no
doubt that when the different tribes were at war with
the whites, the Pueblos harbored the warlike Indians,
and supplied them, in many instances, with such arti-
cles as they stood most in need of. Their policy in
thus acting might have been to retain the friendship of
these Indians, and thus prevent their committing any
depredations on themselves. The Pueblos may have
taken advantage of the state of affairs when war exist-
ed, and doubtless frequently did, under disguise of the
enemy, become guilty of crimes which could easily

LOYAL TO THE GOVERNMENT. 443

have been proven against them. The Mexicans have
often tried to criminate the Pueblos for thus acting ;
but they have proceeded with such bungling policy,
that it has seldom happened that anything criminal has
been definitely proven against them. If a part of them
have thus acted, there is not the least doubt but that
the majority are guiltless. They are, as a body, loyal
to the government of the United States; but, not so
much from love of the Americans as from being shrewd.
They know it is for self-interest to keep good friends
with the strongest power. On these war scouts they
rendered valuable service, and in this light, have been
long regarded with favor by the whites.

The command of these forty Mexicans and Pueblo
Indians was conferred upon James H. Quinn, a well-
known and prominent citizen of New Mexico. This
gentleman became intimately associated with the Ter-
ritory of New Mexico soon after that country was an-
nexed to the United States. In politics, military life,
farming and mercantile pursuits, he was most actively
engaged, and by his talents and industry, took a prom-
inent position, and became an influential member of
society. He had some faults ; (who has not ?) but his
unexpected death came so suddenly upon his friends,
that they could only think of him for the many good
qualities, both of his head and heart. Hence, his faults
were most willingly passed over in silence.

All things being in readiness, the command entered
upon the pursuit of the Indians. They marched from
Taos, ten miles north, to a stream called the Arroya
Hondo. Thence, following the banks of this stream
down through its deep and rocky canon, they came to
the Rio del Norte.

444 AN ANCIENT AZTEC TOWN.

On the first-named stream, there is a small and un-
attractive settlement, which bears the same name.
Several years since, there was a large distillery in full
operation at this place. This establishment was owned
by an American, and was very extensive. The build-
ing was celebrated as being the place where several
Americans were slaughtered by the Mexicans during
the revolution in which Governor Bent lost his life,
heretofore spoken of. On the plain which is contig-
uous with the south bank of the Arroya Hondo, there
are to be found the remains of a large Aztec town,
which was, at some remote period, the largest settle-
ment inhabited by that interesting people to be found
in northern New Mexico. At the present day can be
seen the size and almost the number of houses which
formed the town — which are very numerous. The
building material, as here used by the Aztecs, was small
cobble-stones which undoubtedly were mixed with mud
and thus formed the structure. Pieces of pottery, flint
arrow-points; stone pipe and rude tools have been,
from time to time, found on the site of the town, going
to prove that the people were not wandering in their
habits, but that instead, they occupied their time in
farming, raising cattle and mining. The wild Indians
may have murdered the inhabitants, and then destroyed
the town ; or, civil war and pestilence might have
caused it to become deserted, when, as a natural result,
it fell to decay. The most plausible theory to enter-
tain is the former, as every old Mexican town of the
North contains relics which could not have been de-
signed merely in case of an emergency. Not one of
these towns in olden times was without a large well,
which, in most instances, was bountifully supplied with

PREPARED FOR AN EMERGENCY. 445

water. In time of peace, these extensive reservoirs
were covered over and concealed from view, and there-
fore, but few strangers could be made aware of their
existence. On the breaking out of war, these wells
were thrown open for public use, and, being located in
the centre of the towns, the inhabitants escaped that
danger in procuring water which necessarily would
have surrounded them in case they had been obliged,
as they are now, to bring it from the neighboring
streams. As time rolled on, and danger was lessened,
these wells were almost forgotten, until the timber
which covered them rotted and allowed their fragments
and the earth to cave in, when the object of the dig-
ging these reservoirs became apparent. It is an estab-
lished fact in history that the town of Taos once with-
stood a long and fearful siege, but finally escaped, as
did its people, uninjured. The besieging party, in this
instance., was composed of the Indians of the plains ;
they were present to the number of many thousand, and
were at last compelled to depart, as is supposed, in con-
sequence of their provisions giving out. Reasoning from
analogy, it is no more than proper to suppose, that if the
early settlements of the Mexicans were thus annoyed,
the case of the Aztecs must have been still harder, and
that, being overcome by numbers, they were necessi-
tated to succumb ; and hence were swept, by the In-
dians of the plains, from the face of the earth, leaving
but a dim outline of their ancient grandeur.

The party found the stream very much swollen by
the melting of the snows in the mountains. When
they arrived at its fording place, notwithstanding a tor-
rent rolled before them, the command was, of a neces-
sity, given to cross. There was no shrinking. Without

446 PERILOUS FORDING.

a single murmur, the entire command set themselves
about the perilous task. The bed of the river at this
place is rocky and shelving. At low water, these facts
offer no great obstacles in crossing. The case is very
different when the torrent has reached high-water-
mark— then, a single step will often plunge horse and
rider into the angry waters beyond their depth. Kit
Carson boldly took the lead, and before the infantry
had all passed, the horses of the dragoons had to be
sent back to assist them. To facilitate this fording,
Kit Carson crossed and recrossed the stream at least
twenty times. No serious accident occurred, although
three of the dragoons came near being swept down the
current, which, at the time, was very swift and strong.
Had they gone below the fording-place, they would
most assuredly have been drowned, as the river there
takes a fearful leap through a cut in the rocks. Hav-
ing safely gained the opposite shore, the men found
that their labors had but just commenced. In front of
them stood a precipice that was, at the least calcula-
tion, six hundred feet in height, of solid rock, and
almost perpendicular. Up this ascent the command
had to mount, by following a zigzag trail. With much
trouble arid toil, the summit of the height was reached,
when they once more commenced their journey over
a diversified country, made up of plains and ravines.
No grass or water was found until the expedition
arrived at a small Mexican town called Sirvilletta.
Here an encampment was formed for one night, and
here their animals were to have their last rations
of corn and forage. The sale of these latter articles
proved a windfall to, and made glad the hearts of the
inhabitants of the settlement; for the money which

OVER-SHOOTING THE MARK. 447

they received in exchange for their produce was the
largest sum they had ever possessed. Thus, in more
ways than one, these campaigns in the mountains
caused good results.

These settlements on the remote frontiers of the ter-
ritory of New Mexico are composed of very poor peo-
ple, who, for many years succeeding their first efforts
in establishing their small farms, find great difficulty
in doing more than to feed themselves. Their distance
from markets such as Taos affords, prevents them from
transporting thither more than their small surplus of
grain ; but, as in this case, on thus finding many hungry
horses and mules to feed, their corn-stalks and wheat-
straw come into demand, and bring them in a remuner-
ation in ready money, in sums which they have not
even dreamed of before. The only difficulty in trading
with such people is to fix a fair price on their produce;
for they are so fearful of not receiving enough, that
they often overshoot the mark, and charge so much as
to prevent other expeditions of the same sort from vis-
iting them. With the few dollars in their pockets thus
gained from the party, these Mexicans for once felt
themselves rich men.

Early on the subsequent day the whole force was
again in motion, and continued an active inarch for two
days over a rough country. At last Kit Carson struck
the Indian trail. The course was instantly made to suit
this trail, when the party marched on two days more
at a rapid pace. On the second day's march, the In-
dians were overhauled. The band of Apaches had been
jogging on slowly, and consequently, their animals were
in good order. The case was far different with their
pursuers ; their horses were much used up by overwork

448 A BRAVE OFFICER.

and privations. Thus, when their strength was most
needed, it was found wanting. The Indians espied the
soldiers in time to make good their flight, but not quick
enough to save the lives of all their warriors. Several
of them were killed and many more were wounded.
They also lost a few of their horses, and nearly all their
camp equipage. The roughness of the section of the
country where they were overtaken, assisted the sav-
ages in escaping, notwithstanding every effort was made
by the Americans to prevent their leaving so easily.
Kit Carson, when describing these events, said : " To
Captain Sykes, who commanded the infantry, is due the
greatest amount of praise for the part he acted in our
adventures. When his men were almost broken down
with sore feet, long and difficult marches, want of pro-
visions, the coldness of the weather, and with their
clothing nearly worn out, and when they were on the
point of giving up with despair, they were prevented
from so doing by witnessing the noble example set them
by their captain. He showed them what a soldier's duty
really was, and this so touched their pride that they
hobbled along as if determined to follow him until death
relieved them from their sufferings. Although this
officer had a riding animal at his disposal, yet never
for once did he mount him ; but instead, he lent the
horse to some deserving soldier who was on the point
of succumbing to overwork. "When the Indian village
was discovered, he cheered his men from a limping walk
into a sort of run, and dashing through a swollen moun-
tain stream, that was nearly up to their arm-pits and
full of floating ice, he was, with his company, the fore-
most in the attack."

HARD ROADS TO TRAVEL. 449

Two soldiers of Captain Sykes's company * were
wounded, and one of them afterwards died. The other
man was severely injured, but eventually recovered.
The Indians, on being routed, were pursued through a
deep canon for about four miles. A few who had been
previously wounded were overtaken and slain. Night
now came on ; therefore, the men had to give up the
chase, and on returning to their own encampment they
found their friends had located it on the same ground
which the Indians had occupied when they were first
discovered. The next morning the surviving wounded
man, with an escort, was sent back to the nearest mili-
tary post, so that he could receive proper attention.
The pursuit at an early hour was then resumed, by the
soldiers' taking the fresh trail of the Indians. Away
went both parties through valleys, canons, and over
snow-clad mountains, until, in the end, the Americans
saw that it was impossible to overtake the red men,
who began to break up into squads of two and three
and scatter in every direction. During the latter days
of the chase, the routes which the Indians traveled were
the worst they could select; their object being, entirely
to use up the animals of their pursuers, who were thus
vigorously driving them from one haunt to another.
Very often, at night, the soldiers would find themselves
bivouacked but a short distance from the place which
they had left on the previous morning ; and this hap-
pened, when not once, during the whole day, had they
missed the trail or ceased traveling ; but the fact was,
that the enemy were so familiar with the country that
they made .these crooked trails with impunity. Finally,
the Indians saw that in this trial of muscles and nerves

/Company D, 2d Regiment II. S. Artillery.

450 THE TOWX OF ABIQUIU-

they gained nothing, and could not thus shake off their
pursuers, but that it was necessary for them to try other
expedients; therefore they separated, to meet again
at some preconcerted rendezvous. On this occasion, as
so often heretofore, the Apaches did not belie the char-
acter formed of them by some of our most experienced
military men, and of which we have before spoken :
viz., that they have no equals for endurance, and such
a thing as overtaking them when once put to flight is
almost out of the category of the white man's feats.

There being nothing more that could be accom-
plished by the pursuit, consequently, Colonel Cook
ordered his men to face about, and they having done
so, he made a direct march to Abiquiu, a Mexican vil-
lage that is located on the Rio Chamo, a tributary of
the Rio del Norte. The design he had in going there
was to recruit his men and animals. Their sufferings
had been severe. Although performing constantly
more than double duty, the entire command was put
upon half allowance of food, and that little could not
be properly cooked. For this reason, the trials and
hardships which they experienced were of no ordinary
character.

The town of Abiquiu, where Colonel Cook arrived,
is about sixty miles north-west from Santa Fe, and a
traveler can make a journey through valleys from one
town to the other. It stands next to Taos in point of
magnitude and importance in the matter of townships
in the north of New Mexico. The scenery about this
settlement is very attractive, and, as it lies on the bor-
ders of the Utah Indian country, it is frequently visited
by these Indians. The neighbors of the Utahs, the
Navajoes, occasionally make their appearance in the

UTAH TERRITORY. 451

town. The Mexicans of Abiquiu, from their continued
intercourse with bands of the Utah Indians, are more
or less linked in with them ; and, in time of war, the
Americans can place but little confidence in the inhab-
itants of Abiquiu on this account. The grazing and
farming facilities of the country adjacent to this town
are quite progressive, and were it not for the Indians,
its resources would be much more rapidly developed
than they now are.

Utah was originally part of the territory of Upper
California. The United States came in possession of
it by treaty with Mexico in 1848. The population is
chiefly Mormon. The new territory, as set off' by
the United States in 1850, includes an area of one
hundred and eighty-seven thousand nine hundred
and twenty-three square miles, or one hundred and
twenty millions two hundred and seventy thousand
and seven hundred and twenty acres. Near the
eastern base of the Sierra Nevada range there are
several lakes \vhich receive the waters of the eastern
slope of these leviathan mountains. One of these
lakes bears the name of Kit Carson, having been
named Carson Lake by Colonel Fremont.

In one respect this country has characteristics seldom
met with in any part of the globe. Large numbers of
the lakes and rivers have no outlets. Such is the fact
in regard to Carson Lake. The only means by which
their waters are reduced is by evaporation. The Great
Salt Lake of Utah, to the traveler, is of great interest.
It may well be called the Dead Sea of Utah.

As has been seen, Colonel Cook and party were now
halted at a Mexican village of the Rio Charno, a trib-
utary of the Rio Grande or del Norte.

452 CAPTURE OF A UTAH INDIAN.

The party that had been sent back with the wounded
man, while on their journey met and captured an In-
dian. Supposing him to be an Apache, they deprived
him of his horse and arms, and otherwise treated him
as a prisoner. While they were en route, the Indian
made his escape and joined his tribe. This captive
they afterwards learned was a Utah, whose tribe had
the external appearance of being friendly towards the
whites, although there were existing good reasons for
doubting their sincerity. Colonel Cook, fearing that
such treatment might offer the Utahs a plausible ex-
cuse for openly declaring war, determined to clear
himself of censure by making such reparations as was
in his power. Accordingly he dispatched Kit Carson
to the head-quarters of his Agency, in order to set-
tle matters. On reaching Taos, Kit Carson sent an
expressman to the Utah village, with the request that
their chiefs would come and have a talk with him.
They obeyed this summons, and when they were
seated in council with their " Father Kit," he ex-
plained to them how that the soldiers had taken
prisoner their brave through mistake and ignorance.
He informed them that his countrymen did not wish
to do their tribe any injury, and he trusted that they
would overlook the affair, advising them that the best
way to show to the white men that their intentions were
honest would be by not rendering aid to the Apa-
ches. He said that he had not sent for them through

o

fear, as their warriors were but a handful when com-
pared to the soldiers of their " Great Father," but
the main object always to be held in view in their de-
liberations, was to cultivate friendship, as the country
was large enough for both parties to live in. The In-

AFTER THE JICCARILLAS. 453

dians replied that they were satisfied with the explana-
tion made to them, and declared that their hearts were
not in the least inimical towards the whites. On hear-
ing this, Kit Carson restored to them the captured prop-
erty, and also made to the chiefs themselves a few use-
ful presents.

Colonel Cook, after granting a sufficient rest to his
men, and after obtaining supplies at Abiquiu, started
out again to hunt the Jiccarillas. He was so fortunate
soon after as to find a fresh trail, and in hot haste fol-
lowed it for several days, when, unfortunately, he was
caught in a furious snow-storm which obliterated the
tracks of the Indians, besides otherwise greatly dam-
aging his resources. The fair prospects of a successful
termination to the expedition being so suddenly frus-
trated, the commander had no other alternative open to
him but to return. This he did by going to the Rito Col-
orado, a small town that lay on his route. Here the com-
mand was joined by Major Brooks of the Third Reg-
iment of United States Infantry, who had marched to the
relief of Colonel Cook with re-inforcements. As soon
as the necessary preparations were gone through with,
another scout was undertaken, under charge of this last-
named officer, while Colonel Cook and his men retired
from their active service.

Major Brooks, without much difficulty, struck upon
a recent path made by the enemy, and on it gave them
chase. The Indians were making their way to the Utah
country, and on arriving there, the plans of the Major
were completely balked, owing to the great numbers
of fresh trails that he discovered in those parts. They
were so numerous that thev crossed and recrossed one

tt

another at all points, and were so similar that his best

454 KIT CARSON" AND MAJOR CARLTOX.

guides could not distinguish the one made by the Apa-
ches from those belonging to the Utahs. The result
was that this command, after being in the field for fif-
teen days, was compelled to return without accomplish-
ing anything.

These two nations, the Utahs and Apaches, have been
so long intimate, that many of their habits and customs
are the same, and very often it requires them to speak
their respective languages, before they can be recog-
nized; but, usually, the Utahs are cleaner and better
dressed than their faithful allies, the Apaches, whom
they use, in time of peace and war, as tools.

After allowing sufficient time for the Apaches to col-
lect and reorganize, so that they would be more accessi-
ble, a third expedition was made ready and placed un-
der the command of Major Carl ton of the First Regi-
ment of United States Dragoons. Major Carlton em-
ployed as his guide, Kit Carson.

This command, at first, traveled to the north one hun-
dred miles, until it reached Fort Massachusetts. Here
it halted for one day, until the final arrangement could
be finished. Major Carlton then divided his party,
sending one division, which consisted of his spy com-
pany," under Captain Quinn, to examine the country on
the west side of the White Mountains, while he took it
upon himself to inspect the territory on the east side of
the same range.

Captain Quinn followed, up the valley of San Luis.
When he reached the Mosco Pass, he turned off through
it in order to get into the Wet Mountain Valley, where
it had been previously agreed upon that he should meet
with and report progress to his commanding officer.

The Mosco Pass is a narrow opening in the While

ON THE EIGHT SCENT. 455

Mountains, which latter is but another name for a
branch of the Rocky Chain. This pass has been trav-
ersed by Colonel St. Vrain, many years ago, with wagons,
but, at the present time, such a feat would prove to be
an impossibility, as the mountain streams have washed
down large rocks and other obstacles, which now pre-
sent difficulties which simply men and animals cannot
overcome. The pass itself is but a few miles in length.
It is but a deep cut through very lofty mountains.
Its sides are rocky, craggy and very rough, defying, in
many places, the most experienced climber to ascend
them. It is a favorite route which the Apaches like to
take when hotly pursued, as it offers them the saving
of many miles of difficult and circuitous traveling,
when they wish to reach the open prairies.

On reaching the place of rendezvous, Carlton, while
in the Sangre de Christo Pass, by the aid of his guide,
Kit Carson, discovered a trail made by three of the
enemy, and on following it up, it was found to join the
main path on the Huerfano Creek. On the arrival of
Quinn, who had discovered signs which indicated the
direction the Indians were taking, a conference was
called, when all the old guides and spies of the party
agreed in believing they were on the right scent. The
skill shown by men accustomed to the business of
tracking Indians, either for friendly or warlike pur-
poses, is oftentimes truly wonderful, and especially is
it so to a person brought up in a civilized community,
only familiar with the reports of such things. The age
of the trail, the haunts the red men are bound to, their
object in going there, the numbers on the trail, and
the tribe or tribes to which they belong, can, in the
majority of cases, be told with the greatest accuracy.

456 ENCAMPED ON "FISHER'S PEAK."

It is by philosophizing on minute things, which in
ordinary life would be considered mere trifles, and
hardly worth a consideration, that this knowledge is
arrived at. Thus it takes but a minimum amount of
wisdom to realize that a spear of grass, when trodden
upon, is usually crushed to the earth ; but few reflect
that the attempt is made by nature to restore the blade
to its naturally upright position, and in doing so, re-
quires a certain period of time to accomplish the task.
This process, to the trailer, is an index by which he
judges the age of the visit made by the Indians to
that section of country. The shape of the sole of the
moccasin, or the carvings on arrows when they are
found, which not unfrequently happens, and many
other like things, are sure signs in guiding the expe-
rienced trailer to the particular party he is seeking.

Carlton and his men became flushed with the pros-
pects of success on finding the main trail, and they
lost no time in following it up. For six days they made
rapid progress, and at the end of that time espied the
Indians encamped on " Fisher's Peak " in the Eaton
Mountains. Although the mountain was none the
easiest to climb, yet the soldiers went at its perform-
ance with a determination that brought them upon the
Indians before they could collect their animals and be
off, and the consequence was, that many a brave war-
rior then and there drew his last breath. However,
the most of the Indians ran away, but were pursued,
and a few were overtaken and shot.

The mountain on which the Apaches were concealed,
as described in this adventure with them, is devoid of
trees, and hence is what, in western language, is known
as a "bald mountain." Its summit contained a dry

IN AMBUSH. 457

basin, which, besides the open lookout that the emi-
nence commanded, formed another inducement to these
Indians in selecting it for a hiding-place. The route
from New Mexico to the United States, which we have
before spoken of as the Bent's Fort road, ran through,
or rather, close to, the Raton Mountains. On account
of its being well timbered, and offering somewhat of a
protection, this route was often chosen late in the
autumn, and early in the spring, as the safest for cara-
vans to travel. As a hunting district it cannot be sur-
passed, especially in the seasons of the year above
mentioned, as the game collects there for shelter from
cold and storms.

At night, a squad of men under command of Lieu-
tenant R. Johnston, of the First Regiment of United
States Dragoons, secreted themselves in the camp
lately occupied by the Indians, in the expectancy that
some of them would return to reconnoitre and see
what had been done there. Along with this detach-
ment, there was a man belonging to the spy company
who could counterfeit the call used by these Indians
when they wish to find each other and collect their
forces. At about midnight, when all wras still, this
peculiar-toned whistle was sounded, wrhen lo and be-
hold ! two warriors and two squaws came forth and
commenced groping about in the darkness. They were
fired upon, but as no accurate aim could be taken, only
one of the men was mortally wounded. There is no
reason to doubt that there were more of these Indians
concealed in the neighborhood, but the report of the
rifles and the yells of their exposed brothers caused
them to cling to their hiding-places; and, as the
shades of night advanced, they thought it was best

458 CUSTOMS OF THE APACHES.

to be on the move to distant parts. Hence, they
escaped. The Apaches, in this affray, parted with forty
head of horses and also their scanty allowance of camp
equipage ; for, hy prosecuting the war, they were fast
becoming poverty stricken ; but, to do them as much
harm as possible, all the articles that could be of any
service to them were collected and destroyed.

A spectator, not used to seeing Indians in all phases,
on beholding these Apaches in their most flourishing
condition, would at once decide they had but little else
to lose than their bodies, for they usually have but a
small quantity of clothing on them ; but this is but an
instance where human eyes can be easily deluded. As
long as he has his rifle, with plenty of ammunition, or
even when he is reduced to his bow arid arrows, the
Apache considers that he is amply provided to carry
on war. Least of all the Indians in the far West does
this race prepare for the future. When deprived of
his horse, which he is ready, at a moment's warning,
to convert into food by killing, his spirits are as buoy-
ant as if he was mounted on the fleetest charger. He
is equally careless about partaking of his last morsel of
nourishment, although his rashness may drive him, and
often does, to the alternative of subsisting on roots and
bark, or such other articles as may fall in his way.

On the morning of the day that the Apache village
was discovered and captured, Kit Carson rode up to
his superior officer and said: "Major, if no accident
shall happen to prevent us, we are certain to overtake
the Indians by two o'clock this afternoon. The signs
are becoming so fresh that I feel confident that I will
not be mistaken." Carlton replied that if his words
came true, he would present him. with the finest hat

KIT CARSON'S PROPHECY. 459

that could be purchased in the United States. Strange
as it may appear, the Indians were found at the hour
which the guide had predicted. Sometime afterward,
as it required quite a length of time to write and have
the commission executed, Kit Carson was presented
with a superb hat, in which there was a very appropri-
ate inscription — viz.,

AT 2 O'CLOCK.
IKIIT C! JLIRSOZtsT,

FROM

MAJOR CARL.TON.

This prophecy was not guess-work. On the contrary,
it was a matter of calculation, made on the same prin-
ciple which any experienced workman would adopt, in
reference to some undertaking that was within range
of his calling. A few years later, an officer who had
been an eye-witness of this incident, had the opportu-
nity of trying Kit Carson a second time on the same
business, but Kit was not mistaken. The Indians were
overtaken within five minutes from the time he had
foretold they would be.

Major Carlton, having performed all that lay in his
power, commenced his homeward-bound march. While
en route he traveled by the head waters of the Cana-
dian River and its tributaries, and passed over bold
and lofty mountains, and through a picturesque coun-
try. Finally he reached Taes. His command was in
a very good condition, considering the hardships to
which it had been exposed.

Although we say, in common parlance, that this

27

460 RETURN FROM AN INDIAN CAMPAIGN.

command returned in good condition, yet it must not
be presumed by this assertion that they came back
making a fine appearance, like that presented by sol-
diers on a parade. When out on these campaigns, the
comfort of the men is considered to be of more impor-
tance than either pomp or show ; hence, those military
trappings which are not particularly essential are left
behind, while there is just enough uniformity of dress
remaining to make them recognizable as soldiers. But
little luggage can be transported on these trips, hence
the soldiers are obliged to limit their wants to actual
necessity, which seldom amounts to more than the
clothes they have on. When about starting out, the
soldiers bear the appearance of being ready for hard
work, which, after finishing, they are glad to return,
even if they present themselves at their quarters in
rags. It is wonderful what a change in personal ap-
pearance a few weeks can make by traveling in the
mountains. The person thus exposed partially con-
forms to the habits of the wild Indians, both in appear-
ance and mode of life. Such toilet articles as mirrors
and razors, with their paraphernalia, are dispensed with,
personal beauty being a thing the most to be despised.
In lieu thereof, robust health shows itself in the cheek,
the eye, and the whole economy of the man. The
blood courses through his veins as pure as the water
in the mountain streams about him. By this training,
the mind becomes clear and well-balanced, and the
whole system reaches a condition which far surpasses
the finest constructed machinery. This happy state
of the body does not, however, communicate itself to
the fantastical appearance of the soldiers as they come
inarching along. Were they to enter a town belong-

PREPARING FOR WAR. 461

ing to a civilized community, when arrayed in this
mountain costume, they would be at once judged as a
band of desperadoes.

On arriving at his home, Kit Carson resumed the
duties of his office as Indian Agent, which occupied his
time during the remainder of the year. Soon after,
another expedition was organized and sent out against
the Apaches, but it returned unsuccessful.

We have used this word " organizing " when speaking
of the fitting out of -various expeditions against the In-
dians, and it seems proper that here we should give the
reader an idea of what kind of preparation is necessary
to put one of these commands in proper trim. The
company, or companies, of soldiers will be first detailed
for the arduous duties of the field to castigate the In-
dians. This matter is easy to accomplish ; but the
next thing to be thought of is to take care of these
troops, which is not quite so puerile a task. The quar-
ter-master estimates from the number of the soldiers how
many mules will be required to transport their luggage,
equipments and provisions. This having been deter-
mined upon, he collects the animals and has them pro-
vided with pack-saddles. The task of shoeing the
horses and mules is also no easy matter, for they can-
not go until after they have been properly shod. A
certain weight of freight is assigned to each pack mule,
and a suitable number of men are employed to take
care of, load and unload these animals when in camp.
When on the march, these men perform duty as driv-
ers, and otherwise look after their charge. Notwith-
standing their proverbial obstinacy, these pack mules
quickly learn the labor which they have to perform.
After finishing their usual day's work, they often ex-

462 TACKING A TRICKY MULE.

liibit impatience to be relieved of their burdens. In
the morning they are correspondingly reluctant about
being loaded, and by their hostile demonstrations, they
plainly show their unwillingness to engage in further
labor. Especially is this true when, by careless man-
agement, their backs have become injured ; or when,
from the steadiness of pressure from the "dead weight "
of their cargoes, the same result has been brought about.
The Mexicans understand the art of packing animals to
perfection ; hence they are preferred before other men
to serve in this capacity. It is often a laughable scene
to witness a mule who is used to the business, having
his load strapped on and otherwise arranged in proper
place. The packer, with the lashing rope in hand, and
with his foot braced against the side of the animal, by
the assistance of a kind of pulley arrangement in the
saddle gearing, uses his utmost endeavors to make
things as firm as possible. Every effort which he thus
puts forth, is strenuously and obstinately resisted by a
trick which we will call a straining process that is re-
sorted to by the mule. The animal seems to know
when his pack is securely and properly adjusted; for,
if it is not, he is ready to dump it on the first oppor-
tunity occurring. When the mules are loaded, they
start out in a drove, but are allowed to select their own
path, provided they follow on after the command. It
generally happens that one of them is more ambitious
than his companions. This one taking the lead, the
others resign to him their right to the place, and are
content to keep his company at a respectful distance in
the rear. One of the duties of the commissary de-
partment in fitting out such expeditions is, to provide
u sufficient quantity of rations for the men, such as

A COMMISSARY DEPARTMENT. 463

beef, bacon, beans, sugar and coffee. These form the
reliable subsistence of the soldiers while absent from
their posts or the settlements. The estimate is judged
of by the number of days which the expedition will
require to be absent, in order to perform a certain
amount of work. From this result is calculated the
weight and number of rations required, always, when
practicable, allowing *a small surplus. In this respect,
old and experienced soldiers are far superior to volun-
teers. The former will allow of no waste. They are
accustomed to be methodic in their modes of life, while
the volunteer is usually ignorant of such teaching ;
hence he is wanting in making little things go a great
way. While out on one of these campaigns, it is often
practicable to a certain extent, provided the undertak-
ing is not a hotly contested chase, to drive along beef
cattle, which can be killed and used at discretion. Ba-
con, however, is the soldier's sheet anchor ; and the va-
riety of forms in which he can cook and prepare for
eating this article, while in the field, would astonish
even a French chef de cuisine. It very frequently
happens, however, that in an Indian country, he is not
allowed to exercise his talent, for, making large fire?
might have the effect of apprising the enemy of the
near approach of danger. In such a case he is obliged
to make his coffee in a tin cup, over a very small fire,
the fuel of which consists of a handful of dry twigs,
which are carefully and cautiously replenished as the
first supply is consumed. This coffee, together with
the remains of his last frugal meal, serves to stay his
appetite for the time being, nolens volens. The organ-
ization is said to be complete and fit for service when the
soldiers are judiciously provided with arms, ammuni-

464 THE REQUIREMENTS OF INDIANS.

tion, and riding horses. When a party consists of
mounted men, they are also provided with such other
articles as are deemed necessary, which are included,
usually, under the heading of an outfit for the especial
business in which the soldier is to engage.

In the latter part of the summer, Kit Carson departed
from the agency, on a visit to the band of Utahs, one of
the tribes who were placed under his special charge.
Although, usually, he went to their country several
times in a year, yet, more frequently, these Indians
came to him in order that they might enjoy the hospi-
tality of his house, and receive from him presents of
tobacco and other little commodities which he was al-
ways sure to give them — articles which he generally
had to pay for himself. In visiting them at their home
on this particular occasion, Kit Carson had the double
object in view of notifying them of the moon when
they must meet the superintendent of the Indian affairs
of the Territory at Abiquiu, a town adjacent to their
hunting grounds, and one which they often frequented,
and also, to inform himself of the schemes which they
had on foot and their actual wants, so that he could re-
port to the proper authorities the necessary articles of
which they stood most in need. To define the actual
wants and requirements of Indians, is a subject which
has puzzled many a person who has endeavored thor-
oughly to investigate their character, and who has un-
derstood their mode of life. If the question was left to
themselves, it would be readily settled ; for, they desire
to possess everything which in the least pleases their
active fancy ; and, so extensive are their demands in
this respect, that they know no limit, provided their
own inclinations are consulted. By some, it is sup-

A MISTAKEN POLICY. 465

posed that the presents of blankets and trinkets which
they annually receive from government, are more than
sufficient rewards for depriving them of parts of their
country. Others there are who charitably add to these
things, presents of weapons and ammunition, arguing
that thus they can kill their game, and gain their own
subsistence without resorting to plunder ; but alas !
this latter argument is not found, in the majority of
instances, to be the peaceful manner in which they em-
ploy these gifts. Very often the weapons which they
have but recently received, are turned upon their do-
nors with a view of destroying them. The reasoning of
the Indian in regard to these presents is perhaps right
and just, yet it is by no means pleasing to the exposed
frontiersman. The Indian argues that these gifts are
but rights which he is forced to receive in lieu of his
hunting grounds, with which he is very loth to part,
no matter what be the terms or consideration offered.
The inference which he draws is, that he can use these
presents as he pleases. Money, in the hands of wild
Indians, is almost worthless to them, and paying it for
their lands by way of annuity, is extreme folly. Some
of them in time, as they have become half civilized,
begin to appreciate the value of money. Such, only,
should be allowed to receive or accept it. They some-
times desire it by way of ornament. Then by the usual
means of exchanging property, they know how, easily,
to obtain it. Every tribe has its own peculiarities in
respect to its wants, and the best judge of these is the
agent, who should be first chosen for his honor, integ-
rity and skill, and then allowed a large discretion in
his decisions.

The distance to be traveled over while on this duty

466 A GRAND COUNCIL WITH THE UTAHS.

was in the vicinity of two hundred and fifty miles, and
was performed, like all of Kit's previous journeys, on
horseback. Indeed, there are but few men, living or
dead, who have ridden in the saddle over as much
territory as the man we write of. On his way to the
Utah village, Kit accidentally fell in with the Apaches j
but as he was constantly on the lookout, and therefore
first in making the discovery, he lost no time in effect-
ing his escape from them, by changing his course. He
thus was able to pass around them in perfect safety.
Kit Carson met with no difficulty in finding the Utahs,
among whom he spent two days, investigating their
affairs. Just before parting with them, he left direc-
tions for them to be at the council at the time ap-
pointed, which was in the new moon of October. Not-
withstanding his path was beset with the same perils
that existed on his outward journey, yet by careful
traveling he surmounted them all, and arrived at his
home safe and sound. Little or nothing worth noting
transpired until the time arrived for him to set out for
Abiquiu, where all parties soon assembled in grand
council and proceeded to business. Speeches were made
by the superintendent, by Kit Carson, and also by the
head chiefs. After these interesting proceedings were
gone through with, the annuities, to which the band
were entitled according to their treaty, were presented
to them, which they received with outward signs of
friendship, though the knowing ones who were on the
ground could see, lurking beneath that stoic appearance
which a savage usually assumes when facing his white
brother, that the red men were not entirely satisfied
with past events. However, every means had been
employed to pacify the band, who, on first coming into

A CASE OF TOTAL DEPRAVITY. 467

the council, had succeeded in showing that they had
been greatly outraged and injured, and that they had
sufficient cause for resentment. The following circum-
stances will show the truth of this.

Just previous to the holding of this council, one of
the warriors who was much esteemed by his tribe, had
been waylaid and murdered by a small party of Mexi-
cans. The only excuse offered by the latter for com-
mitting this bloody deed was, that they wished to
deprive the warrior of an old coat, which, by some
means, had come into his possession.

The killing of a human being to deprive him of a
garment which was almost worthless, is perfectly char-
acteristic of the depravity exhibited by the lower classes
of Mexicans. It is a singular fact that these people love
to steal trifling articles, or sums of money. We remem-
ber two instances where this trait is singularly illustrated.
An American, on one occasion, left on a table, in his log
house, a large sum of money in gold. He sent a Mex-
ican into this room to bring him something which he
wanted, but the man returned saying he could not find
it. The American now went himself to look for the
article, and, while in the house, recounted his money,
and found one of the smallest coins missing. He at
once called the thief and charged him with the crime.
The Mexican knew this American to be a very resolute
man ; when, therefore, he heard him threaten him with
severe and summary punishment if he did not at once
produce the money, he knew there was no escape, and
accordingly drew from its hiding-place, on his person,
the missing coin, and restored it to its owner. The
American, being used to such every-day occurrences,
passed by the affair without further notice. In the

468 THIEVING MEXICAN'S.

other instance, an American was traveling and had
occasion to stop at a Mexican's house during the night.
On going to pay his bill for his. lodging, in the morning,
he noticed that two pieces of his money had been ab-
stracted while he was sleeping. These coins had been
taken, one from either end of his purse. This was what
drew his attention to the fact of his having been robbed.
The host was informed of what had happened, and at
once proceeded to restore the missing money. He
called his son to him, a boy twenty years of age, and
after threatening a good deal, he made the lad take his
choice between owning the theft, or submitting to the
risk of being discovered by a search of his person for the
missing coins. This had the desired effect, and at once
the stolen property was returned to its rightful owner.

Both of these facts are simple, and, perhaps, uninter-
esting ; but they serve to exhibit a characteristic of
the lower classes of Mexicans. Doubtless, such paltry
thieving is the result of a want of animal courage,
easily discernible by the close observer of the Mexican
race. Of course there are many exceptions to this
statement.

The white men interested in the council had their
hands full, in their endeavors to smooth over this
affair, for the Indians were much dissatisfied with such
treatment. At first they demanded that reparation
should be made them, by their agents giving them a
certain number of horses. The Superintendent ex-
plained to them that he had not the power to do this,
but he assured them that the murderers should be
arrested and dealt with according to law. The In-
dians willingly received this promise, but seemed to
feel, as finally was the fact, that they were doomed to

SMALL-POX AMONG THE INDIANS. 469

be disappointed as far as the punishment was concerned.
It afterwards happened that only one of the murderers
was apprehended, and in a very short time after he was
locked up as a prisoner, he succeeded in making his es-
cape and was never retaken. This was all that was
ever done by those in authority to render the justice
that had been agreed upon and which was richly due to
the Indians. After quitting the council, and while on
their way back to their hunting-ground, the small-pox
broke out among the red men, and carried off, in its
ravages, the leading men of this band of Muache Utahs.
On the first appearance of this trouble the Indians held
a council among themselves, and decided that the Su-
perintendent was the cause of the pestilence that had
visited them. They also decided that he had collected
them together in order thus to injure them, and to fur-
ther his designs he had presented to each of their dis-
tinguished warriors a blanket-coat. They found that
nearly every Indian who had accepted and worn this
article had died.

It so happened that the wrriter, several years after
these events occurred, visited the camp where this pes-
tilence reigned in its full vigor. The site of this camp
was very beautiful. Perhaps it was this, aided by other
circumstances, which caused the red men to select it as
a refuge for their sick. The place is located on the
west side of the Valley of San Luis, and is about mid-
way between its upper and lower extremes. Two
mountain streams have so joined as to form a penin-
sula of table-land, which is well shaded by cotton-wood
trees. This ground, when the writer saw it, was liter-
ally strewn with the bleached bones of the Indian vic-
tims who had died from the scourge. As we lifted up

470 THE PLACE OF DRY BONES.

one skull and another, the thought struck us that, per-
haps, we might have touched the bones which once
belonged to the famous chief, Chico Velasques, of
whom we have before spoken, as it was here that he
died. Had we done so knowingly, on account of that
man's many cruel deeds, a thrill of horror must have
run through our veins. The funeral rites of the dead
among the Indians were clearly exemplified here.

Whatever may be these rites observed among the
Indians on the west side of the Rocky Mountains, I am
satisfied that most of the tribes of Indians on the east
side of this same range use but few, if any, imposing
ceremonies in committing the body to the dust. It is
very difficult to find the bones of an Indian on the
plains, and therefore, I believe, and herein I am assisted
by the observations of experienced men, that these In-
dians burn their dead bodies when they can do so, or
completely hide them in the mountains by covering
them with rocks, so that it is impossible to find them.
Such a course would also serve the purpose of prevent-
ing the wolves from digging them up. The high-col-
ored novels, referred to heretofore, which have, during
the past few years, had for their theme the Indian race,
love to dwell on the imposing and affecting spectacle of
an Indian burial. When stripped of fancy, the truth
is, that beyond the lamenting of a few hysterical squaws
and the crackling of the flames of the funeral pile, there
is little else done that is noticeable.

But to return to the results of the council. The In-
dians, naturally enough, argued and persuaded them-
selves that these presents were intended as poisonous
destroyers, and that they had been steeped in conta-
gion for that end. It wanted but the happening of this

SECRETLY PREPARING FOR WAR. 471

affair, or a similar one, to destroy the small amount of
confidence which the Superintendent had hitherto en-
joyed with these savages. While they were secretly
preparing for war, they anxiously inquired of the
traders who came among them, what was transpiring
in regard to the Mexican prisoners who had wantonly
murdered their brave. On each separate occasion
they were answered with intelligence that did not
in the least satisfy them. They therefore renewed
their energies, in order soon to be ready to take the
redress in their own hands. Kit Carson apprehended
difficulty, even at the council ; but, after it broke up,
he was early apprised of the trouble which was brewing,
and, to prevent any outbreak, he brought all his Indian
experience to bear upon the task. In him they said
that they knew they had a true friend ; but, their na-
tion had received too many wrongs to allow any more
to be thrust upon them without showing to the world
that they were worthy of the names which their fathers
had given to them.

472 A FORMIDABLE INDIAN WAR.

CHAPTER XYII.

The Commencement of a Formidable Indian War — High-handed Measures
on the Part of the Indians — The Governor of New Mexico raises Five
Hundred Mexican Volunteers and places them under the Command of
Colonel St. Vrain — Colonel Fauntleroy placed in Command of all the
Forces— Kit Carson is chosen as Chief Guide — The Campaign Com-
menced— The Trail Found — The Indians are met and the first Fight
«nd its Consequences — An Excitement in Camp — The Indians again
Overtaken — The Return to Fort Massachusetts — Intense Cold Weather
experienced — The Second Campaign — Colonel Fauntleroy Surprises
the Main Camp of the Enemy — The Scalp Dance Broken Up — Terrible
Slaughter of the Indians — The Great Amount of Plunder Taken and
Destroyed — Another Small Party of Indians Surprised and Routed —
St. Vrain equally fortunate in his Campaign — The Indians Sue for
Peace — The Council held and Treaties signed — Kit Carson opposes
the making of them — The poor Protection Indian Treaties usually
afford to Settlers — Kit Carson's House at Taos and his Indian Friends
— His Attachment for his Family put to the Test — Cowardice of a
Mexican — Kit Carson's Friends as they looked upon him — His Influ-
ence over Indians.

THE Muache band of Utahs, under their renowned
Chief, Blanco, after trading for all the powder and
lead which they required, joined the Apaches and com-
menced the war in earnest. They waylaid and mur-
dered travelers on the roads, attacked towns, killed and
made prisoners the people who inhabited them, and
became so formidable that for a length of time every-
thing was at their mercy. They lost no opportunity
in showing their power and in possessing themselves
of the finest herds of horses, mules, cattle and sheep
within their reach.

TEE RENOWXED CHIEF, BLANCO. 473

This Chief, Blanco, was a man who stood in his moc-
casins about five feet nine inches. He was rather
thickset, but, to use an Indian phrase, as straight as an
arrow. The chief attraction about this Indian was his
head, which was finely developed. His lustrous black
eye, filled with animation, showed an active brain,
which, unfortunately, was turned to bad account. His
forehead was lofty, yet was symmetrically chiseled, and
every feature about his face was as regular as if it had
been carved for sculptured perfection. Blanco was a
man who, in any sphere of life, would have become
most certainly distinguished ; and, under the influence
of education, he might have risen even to greatness.
In his unreclaimed state he showed to a decided disad-
vantage.

It is within my province fully to attest to the earnest-
ness, the savageness and the brutality, with which these
Indians commenced this contest. I was then stationed
in their country and came very near being one of their
first victims. The circumstances of this narrow escape
happened as follows: For a considerable length of
time, the post to which I was then attached was kept
in a constant state of excitement by receiving authentic
accounts, daily, of murders and robberies committed
by the Indians. While these events were transpiring,
the officers and soldiers were anxious to take the field
in order that they might punish the perpetrators of
the crimes ; but as the force of the Indians was, numer-
ically speaking, very strong, therefore it required, in
order to insure success, a well organized command to
match them and checkmate their plans at once. It
required time and much labor for the officers in charge
of the military district to arrange and complete their

474 AX EXCITING ADVENTURE.

plans. Every man who left our post r.in the risk of
losing his life ; for the enemy kept an eye on the road
which led away from it to the principal towns of New
Mexico, as often there was rich booty for them to
obtain passing over it. Notwithstanding this critical
state of affairs, express duty had to be performed, and
it-required brave men for the task. There were pres-
ent, however, those who stood ready to volunteer to
execute all express orders. Before proceeding with
our own case, we will illustrate these critical times.
It was necessary to dispatch an expressman to Fort
Union. This post, from Fort Massachusetts, was one
hundred and fifty miles distant. The ever faithful
Mexican, Armador Sanchez, was then attached to Fort
Massachusetts as a hunter and interpreter. On account
of extensive experience with the habits and customs
of the hostile Indians, Armador was selected to per-
form this dangerous mission. In his usually quiet
manner, this noble hunter soon prepared himself for
the undertaking. By using every precaution, he
reached his point of destination in safety. Having fin-
ished up. his business, he instantly began his homeward-
bound journey. While on the rough trail wrhich leads
from Fort Union to Taos, he came near being surprised
and captured by the enemy, under the following cir-
cumstances. Armador had selected the night as the
safest time to travel ; and, as it was quite dark, in order
to pick out his way and prevent his growing sleepy
by riding, he traveled on foot and led his animal. He
had made good progress on his journey when, suddenly,
his hunter-trained ear detected a noise on ahead of
him, which sounded like the rolling of stones down the
side of the hills over which the trail ran. He stopped

A MOUNTAIN GORGE.

A CRITICAL MOMENT. 475

and listened more attentively. This time he was cer-
tain that he was n6t deceived, and thought that he
could hear voices singing Indian war songs. This was
convincing proof to him that danger was near at hand ;
therefore he turned off from the trail and led his animal
as high up the steep hill as he could, where, fortunately,
he found sufficient underbrush, aided by the darkness
of the night, to conceal himself from view. Hardly
had he taken up this position when the noises suddenly
became very distinct. The Indians, while following
the trail, had made a turn round a bluff and were almost
beneath him. Now the hunter felt his situation to be
most precarious, for, should his mule bray, as these
animals are apt to do when others are approaching, his
own life would have to pay the forfeit ; but, to prevent
this, Armador held the mule's nostrils firmly with his
hands, and otherwise drew off the animal's attention
by various gentle manipulations bestowed upon him.
He saw the outlines of the Indians as they passed
along in single file beneath him, and estimated them to
be at least twenty strong. Had these savages known
that a victim was so close by, they would have made
short work of him ; but, before they could have killed
him, it is safe to affirm that Armador Sanchez would
have had a companion with whom to draw his last
breath. Fortunately affairs took a better turn, and
the expressman finished his journey without further
trouble.

To return to my own case — I was obliged to visit
Taos. As an escort, I was allowed one faithful and
brave soldier. We traveled together over the first half
of our journey, and as we had considered, far the most
dangerous part, in perfect safety. At the Mexican

28

476 SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES.

town of Costillo, after our day's ride, we rested for the
night. Our fears of meeting Indians were now almost
dispelled ; but still, we took the precaution to question
the Mexicans of the town in regard to their knowledge
of their whereabouts. In reply we were invariably an-
swered that no fresh signs had been discovered and that
intercourse was both safe and free for the remainder of
our route. By the first appearance of daylight on the
following morning we were up and preparing for our
journey, and but a little time elapsed before we were
leisurely traveling along on the main road. We had
left the town but a few miles behind us, when the morn-
ing sun began to make its appearance in all his splen-
dor. The country through which we were journeying
was prairie land, and was bounded on either side by
lofty and picturesque mountains, and the distance of the
one range from the other was considerable, but yet
could fully be taken in by the eye almost at a single
view. As we rode along, we were amusing ourselves
admiring the beauty of the morning, and especially di-
rected our attention to the rising of the sun. All at
once, just as we had reached a high plateau of land, the
soldier made the discovery of a flock of sheep at a great
distance off on the prairie. They appeared to be mov-
ing under rather suspicious circumstances. We reined
up our horses, for the purpose of obtaining a better ob-
servation. What puzzled us, was the dim figures of,
apparently, mounted men, who were moving at great
speed from one point of the band of sheep to another,
as if hurrying them along. After taking a searching
look, we concluded that the horsemen which we saw
were hostile Indians, as we had not been accustomed to
see Mexican herders mounted and acting so strangely.

THE AUTHOR IN A FIX. 477

The herders, near the towns in New Mexico, are usu-
ally small boys, who are under the surveillance of one
or two men stationed near by. When the Apaches and
Utahs steal these herds, they always take the young
herders along, in order to look after the property in
their mountain retreats. They rarely mortally injure
these boys, for they say that it is against their own in-
terest to do so ; but instead, they prefer to save their
lives, so that they may be useful in guarding other
flocks which, perchance, may fall into their hands. Most
of these youthful prisoners in time make their escape ;
and, after a series of hardships, return safe to their
homes. Many Mexicans can give such adventures of
their early experience, but scarcely one of them can re-
call a single kind act shown them by their captors, save
the mere sparing of their lives.

As we were viewing the herd, we thought that we
noticed the figures of the horsemen throwing them-
selves from one side to the other of their horses, as if
very busily employed in frightening the sheep. We
now held a council, and decided that our best policy
was to quit the main road, as it was crooked, and make
a straight march across the prairies for the town of Red
River, which was located about twenty miles in our ad-
vance. It was our opinion, which afterwards proved to
be correct, that, if the Indians were stealing the stock
belonging to the town of Costillo, they were also en-
gaged in attacking the place itself. For, while a strong
party were engaged in drawing off the attention of the
people, another would be driving off the cattle, sheep,
etc. To return, therefore, would be almost certain
death ; so? at a full gallop, we commenced our direct
course. As the sage bushes were thick and high and

478 IMITATING THE BUFFALO.

the ground much broken by various kinds of holes, we
soon found that we had our hands full in managing our
horses. We had hardly started afresh before our eyes
were attracted to one side of us ; and in the direction
of the Rio del Norte, which runs through the valley,
saw, what we at first considered to be, antelope. As
we watched closely these supposed antelope, we re-
marked that they kept in Indian file, and that the
course they were on would diagonally intercept our
own point of the compass. We began now to suspect
that the white appearance assumed by these objects
was owing to the strong sunlight which dazzled our
eyesight, and struck on the dressed side of buffalo robes
and that in these robes were concealed human beings
who had formed the determination to have our scalps.
During the cold weather, most of the Indians who
dwell in the country adjacent to the Rocky Mountains,
and especially those living on the eastern side of them,
wear buffalo robes with the fur next to their bodies.
These robes serve the double purpose of shirts or coats,
and a covering by night. The wearers make them fast
around the waist, and, in the heat of the day, they are
allowed to fold over and hang down ; but, as the cool
air of the evening comes on, they are wrapped around
the head and body, something after the Spanish fashion
of wearing a cloak. The Indians, frequently, for the
purpose of decoying their enemies into battle, go out
on the prairies, and by turning the fur side of these
robes out, and covering their persons, having previously
assumed a half-bent position, imitate the Simon Pure
buffalo while in the act of grazing. In order to keep
up the ruse, they move about with a rocking motion.
When taken for the buffalo, which frequently happens,

A RIDE FOR LIFE. 479

they are enabled to gain an advantage in approaching
a party or village which they wish to attack. The
Cheyenne Indians are very partial to loose sack-coats
which are made out of white blankets. To these coats
a hood is attached, which is thrown over the head at
the wearer's pleasure. In addition to this, during the
winter season, they also resort to the buffalo robe.
The squaws of the various tribes of Indians on the
plains are well versed in the art of tanning and dress-
ing buffalo hides. They frequently ornament them
with beads, porcupine quills and rude paintings. In
times long since gone by, these robes could be pur-
chased, or rather traded for, at good bargains ; but the
unlimited and increasing demand for them has greatly
enhanced their value. Nowadays they bring standard
prices.

Being satisfied that the Indians were in pursuit of us,
we carefully guided our horses, at the same time using
our spurs freely and keeping them at their maximum,
speed. As the Indians drew nearer, we could see dis-
tinctly that they were urging on their animals. Our
safety, therefore, depended entirely on outriding them.
The race became most exciting, and demanded the
greatest caution, for we well knew, that one misstep
made by either of our horses, would prove fatal to the
rider. We had decided, on commencing the race, that
neither of us should fire a shot except as a last resort,
and that we should do it only on the principle of man
for man. While putting our horses to their speed, our
weapons were held in our hands and kept ready for in-
stant service. The most dangerous point was that at
which the two trails would inevitably intersect. To
gain this place in advance of our savage enemies, all

480 A NARROW ESCAPE.

our hopes now centered. For twelve miles we dashed
along, laboring under a state of suspense not to be eas-
ily forgotten. When, at last, we arrived at the desired
point, we were only about two hundred yards in the ad-
vance of our savage pursuers ; still, we felt that our
lives, for the time being, were saved, and accordingly
breathed a prayer to the Almighty in thanks for our
deliverance thus far. The pace now became tremen-
dous ; and here our grain-fed horses proved to be too
much (and their powers of endurance were fully put to
the test) for the grass-fed ponies of the Indians. After
a short run, the savages saw that the advantage be-
longed to us, consequently soon after they halted.
We, however, kept steadily, but with slackened speed,
on our course, fearing that some accident might change
the happy turn of affairs in their favor. On finding
themselves thwarted in their designs, the Indians fired
two or three shots at us, but even these final compli-
ments did not, to use nautical phraseology, make us
"heave to." We reached the settlement of the Red
River in good season, and concluded that we had trav-
eled the distance in about as brief a space of time as
it ever had been accomplished, either before or since
our adventure. Our horses were so used up by this
race that we were obliged to change them for fresh
ones, on which we finished our journey without further
annoyance. The Indians, in this incursion, stole five
thousand sheep, besides other property from the Cos-
tillo, and killed two men who were traveling behind
us and on the same road. When the bodies of these
men were discovered, one of them had a mouthful of
bullets, which he had evidently put there in order that
he might drop them into his rifle as he should require

THE RESULTS OF MISMANAGEMENT. 481

them, and not be obliged to be delayed in taking them
from his ammunition pouch ; but, evidently, before he
could have used more than one from this supply, he
was shot dead.

It cannot be denied but that this outbreak on the
part of the Indians, and its subsequent outrages, was
the result of mismanagement ; and it is but justice to.
the reputation of Kit Carson to assert that it was no
fault of his that affairs had terminated so disastrously.
He had used every means which human skill could de-
vise to allay the anger of the Indians. Had his supe-
riors in power acted with the same discretion and judg-
ment, in all probability the Utahs might have been
kept at peace. It is wonderfully strange that our gov-
ernment will persist in placing at the head of Indian
affairs men who are not practically acquainted with
Indian habits, which can only be learned by a long life
passed upon the frontiers. If it was a matter where
dollars and cents alone were to be estimated, it might
be different ; but where valuable lives are legitimately
exposed, it seems to us morally wrong to give the con-
trol of tribes of wild men to politicians, who are liable
to make all kinds of mistakes, and in whom the Indians
will not repose the least confidence. It is because such
appointments are made that, in a great measure, the
troubles with these border Indians arise ; and many is
the section of country in western America, where ap-
parently the reward for taking a white man's scalp is a
blazing red or sky-blue blanket, which is paid under
the plea of keeping the peace. This, too, when effi-
cient means and decided measures are the only hopes
of a lasting peace.

While engaged in our travels through the far West,

482 A MERE BOY, AS INDIAN AGENT.

we remember to have met with an Indian agent who
was, both in years and experience, but a mere boy.
To him had been entrusted the affairs of a large tribe,
notorious in the country where they reside as being
great thieves. These Indians had so little respect for
their agent, that they would openly boast of the
crimes which they had committed, in his very pres-
ence. Not only this, but, on horses stolen from neigh-
boring settlers, they would ride by him, thus defying
his power. The settlers were loud in their complaints
against the Government for thus neglecting to protect
them, and sending them a block of wood for a king.
The young man of whom we speak bore an exemplary
character, but it was plainly and painfully apparent
that he was, in no way whatever, fitted for the office
he held, and w7hich he had attained through the influ-
ence of powerful political friends. This is but a fair
example by which many of the so-called Indian agents
may be rated, who are the actual managers of Indian
affairs on our frontiers.

The Utahs and the Apaches, having now openly
combined, met with such success in their endeavors to
attack the whites, that, during the course of a few
months, they overran almost the entire northern part
of the Territory of New Mexico. They utterly defied
the power of the American Government; and, when-
ever the opportunity offered, boasted to the Mexicans
•' that they no longer stood in fear of the white men."
The subsequent cruel and barbarous crimes of which
they were guilty, clearly demonstrated that they were
elated by their success. It soon became apparent that,
unless checked, they would exterminate the population
and burn or otherwise destroy their settlements.

CRUEL AND BARBAROUS CRIMES. 483

At this time, it was only by running great risk that
the whites could leave their towns and go to the neigh-
boring mountains, for the purpose of obtaining even a
little firewood. Working parties were daily surprised
and murdered ; women and children were carried into
bondage, and reserved for a worse fate, and all kinds
of business were receiving a check, which was becom-
ing ruinous to the country. It was even greatly
feared that the boldness of the savages would carry
them so far as to make them attack Fort Massachu-
setts. To give them a warm reception, should they
dare undertake that enterprise, the post was strength-
ened, by cutting down and removing everything which
might in the least tend to aid the Indians, and give
them a cover which they so much like when fighting;
all the trees and brush about the post were cut away.
Breastworks were thrown up on the block-house at-
tached to the post, so that the soldiers could be well
protected in case of emergency. In these, sentinels
were posted, and the strength of the guard doubled
and greater vigilance exacted. Haystacks were re-
moved to a safe place, for fear they would be fired by
the enemy. The sentinels were ordered to cry out
every half hour in the night while on their posts, and
no man was allowed to approach after the shades of
night had come on, without giving the countersign.
It proved to be well that these precautions wrere taken,
for, on the neighboring mountains, Indian watch-fires
were seen nightly ; and, on several mornings, Indian
moccasin tracks were discovered in close proximity to
the fort, showing thereby that the enemy was watching
and waiting for a favorable opportunity to strike a sud-
den and overwhelming blow upon the garrison within.

484 GREAT AND SUDDEN COMMOTION.

The savages, no doubt, were deterred from making a
bold attack by the prompt precautionary measures
•which had been taken by the commander to anticipate
their plans. The wagons belonging to the fort were
sent out after wood, under a strong escort, and the
government herd of beef-cattle, horses and mules,
were well protected by the soldiery. On one occasion,
through a false alarm of Indians, the whole command
of the post, which numbered less than one hundred
men, was put in great and sudden commotion. The
cause will appear in connection with the following cir-
cumstances. The party in charge of the herd had espied
a large cavalcade of men and animals approaching them.
At the long distance they were off, the strangers resem-
bled Indians. The commander of the party immedi-
ately sent an expressman to the fort to apprise its oc-
cupants of the fact. The drums immediately sounded
the rally, which caused the men to rush for their arms.
They quickly fell into their ranks, and the order was
given to march. Headed by a gallant lieutenant, they
dashed out of the fort on a fast run, in order to reach
and save their property from being captured by the
enemy. The soldiers were elated at the prospect of
having a brush with the Indians, and, on an open
plain, giving them battle, where, notwithstanding the
great numbers which would certainly be arrayed against
them, they felt that they could soundly chastise them.
On reaching the herd, the soldiers scattered, and were
soon prepared to commence the skirmish ; but, lo !
when the strangers drew near enough to be discern-
ible, they were recognized as a large party of Mexicans,
under the command of an American. These people
had been absent several months on a trading voyage

FORT MASSACHUSETTS, NEW MEXICO, IN 1855.

ORGANIZING THE MILITARY. 487

among the Cheyennes and Arrapahoes, and for the pur-
pose of returning home in safety, they had formed
themselves into one body. Their dress was similar to
that of the Indians, and, therefore, at the great distance
at which they were first discovered, it is not strange
that such a mistake had been made, especially during
these dangerous times. The reason of the sudden sta-
tioning of the soldiers about the herd, the traders easily
surmised ; hence, on drawing near, they began to cry
out that they were friends. No set of men were ever
more disappointed than were these soldiers at this un-
expected termination of the affair.

Matters eventually arrived at such a crisis that the
Governor of the Territory, by and with the advice of
the Commanding General, felt obliged to issue a proc-
lamation, calling upon the people to volunteer for the
purpose of defending their lives and property.

The inhabitants of New Mexico promptly responded
to this call, by flocking to the places designated for
them to organize. Out of the great number who pre-
sented themselves and offered their services, there were
selected men sufficient to fill six companies, each of
which, when fully organized, contained eighty mounted
men. They had the power of electing their own offi-
cers, by and with the advice and consent of the Gov-
ernor. These volunteers furnished themselves with
riding horses. The pay which they were to receive
amounted to about thirty dollars per. month, which was
considered very liberal, inasmuch as they were pro-
vided, in most cases, with arms. Rations were issued
out to them the same as to the regular army. The
willingness which the Mexicans exhibited on this occa-
sion to volunteer, does them great credit, and clearly

488 THE PROPER MODE OF TREATMENT.

proves the fact that they do not always lack in courage,
but that they are prompt to defend their homes when
properly disciplined and aided with the means neces-
sary to do so.

It is the opinion of many of the most prominent cit-
izens of the Territory of New Mexico, that, if the chas-
tisement of the Indians, when it was required, was left
to the people themselves, the general Government only
supplying them with money and arms, that peace be-
tween the two parties would, in a short time, be firmly
established on a sure and permanent footing.

In giving currency to such opinions, we risk them,
with the knowledge that the previous experiments made
on this policy, which have proved unsuccessful in the
various older territories belonging to the United States,
will be brought to bear as potent arguments against
such a course by a large and powerful opposition. But
such facts of Indian history are exceptions. Indian
history clearly demonstrates the proposition, that well-
organized volunteers, under able leaders, have accom-
plished more in warfare against the savages than
regular troops, taking into consideration that the same
length of time, which each have been engaged in actual
service, has given them equal experience. The cause
of this is plain. These two distinct forces are composed,
entirely, of different material. The one is made up of
frontiersmen who thoroughly understand the effective
use of the rifle, and a life in an Indian country, while
the regular soldiers have to be taught these things ;
and, as it very often happens, they have never seen one
of their enemy until sent out in quest of the savages.

As matters usually stand, the Indians are almost
the actual, although not the nominal, masters of the

TI1E REASON OF FAILURE. 489

country. In short, they commit excesses whenever it
suits them, paying no regard to treaties. This has
been their habit from time immemorial, and it is found
to be a difficult task to break them from it. Their
minor crimes are allowed to accumulate, and when, at
last, they are actuated by increasing success and con-
sequent boldness, to commit some great and overt act,
it is noticed, and expeditions are sent out against them.
These usually fail to punish the really guilty parties,
but instead, they recover a small share of the property
stolen, and with it the thirst for revenge must be sa-
tiated. The officers and soldiers do their utmost to
accomplish something more, and readily meet hard-
ships and privations in every shape in order to accom-
plish the desired end ; but their time is too limited
rightly and efficiently to perform the work ; for the
campaign must be ended, when in reality it has but
just commenced. The reason exists in the fact that
those high in authority are liable to be called to an
account for spending a dollar too much in a good cause.
Perhaps this state of affairs has been brought about by
the immense expenses which have attended many of
the Indian wars in which the United States Govern-
ment has been engaged, when mismanagement and
paltry results have characterized the acts of whole
campaigns. This charge cannot, however, reach to the
military department in which New Mexico is included,
for the leading officers who have, from time to time,
been stationed there, have invariably exhibited an un-
usual amount of discretion and sound judgment, and
have set examples of military science, promptitude
and skill which it might be well for others to follow.
Under the existing causes for difficulty and pecu-

490 THE CAUSE OF INDIAN MASSACRES.

liarity of circumstances, it is sometimes hazardous to
assume the responsibility of punishing the hostile In-
dians as they deserve.

By punishing the Indians we do not wish to impress
the reader with the idea that they must be collected
and butchered, like animals, in order to bring them to
terms. Milder means serve the same purpose ; but,
when they dig up the hatchet, battles must be fought
in which they ought to be so closely driven as to cause
them to see that it is perfect rashness to attack the
whites. One victory gained by savages over white
men so exhilarates their pride that they forget the
past and believe themselves invincible. In these fights
valuable lives are sacrificed, but they are necessary
sacrifices for the common good. When one tribe is
severely chastised, the surrounding Indians hear of it,
and, becoming alarmed, for a time they behave them-
selves with propriety. This happy state of things will
continue until some weak move on the part of govern-
ment officials counteracts this good influence, when,
misconstruing kind acts for fear, the red men at once
dig up the tomahawk and boldly march upon the war
path, to spill innocent blood. Such results often follow
when the power is taken from the experienced military
commanders, and vested in the hands of (often the
fact) inexperienced superintendents. These men pom-
pously invite the Indians to grand councils, where un-
meaning speeches are manufactured to suit the occa-
sion. Usually when thus summoned, the wily savages
are delighted to go into council, for, as a rejoinder to
the many concessions which are easily obtained from
them, and which they are always ready to make after
assuming a little coquetry, they receive presents which

A CAPTIVE CHILD PLEADING FOR MERCY.

THE ONLY TRUE REMEDY. 491

the superintendent informs them are merely tokens of
the high appreciation with which they are regarded by
their Great Father at Washington.

Kit Carson often said " that the only true remedy
for this great evil is to compel the savages to form set-
tlements by themselves. Then and there assist and
teach them to cultivate the soil. In time they will be
able to gain a maintenance independent of the General
Government; and, to a certain extent, they will be-
come responsible for their acts."

The people who form the chief population of the
Territory have so often been deprived of their prop-
erty that it is not strange that they have become
poverty-stricken and indolent. It is enough to strike
down the enterprise of any nation to have been so
long badly governed, and then, without any resources
in the way of arms and ammunition, to be compelled
to beat back hostile Indians. Under the provisions of
the Government of the United States, they are improv-
ing, but yet, even now, they have not the protection
which they require, and should receive. In their Ter-
ritory it takes a daring man to venture his small capi-
tal in raising stock. To be sure, claims are allowed
them by Congress for the losses by Indian depreda-
tions, but these usually fall into the hands of specu-
lators, and in reality, assist the people to a very trifling
extent. It can be said, to their credit, that Mexicans
bear reverses of fortune with a nonchalance seldom
seen among any other race. Although generally poor,
they are as happy and joyous as it is possible for hu-
man beings to be.

The organization of the Mexican volunteers was
made complete by the Governor of the Territory, who

492 MEXICAN VOLUNTEERS.

selected, as their leader, Mr. Ceran St. Vrain of Taos.
This gentleman, although he had much important
business which called his attention elsewhere, imme-
diately expressed his willingness to accept the respon-
sible position which, without solicitation, had been
conferred upon him. The commission received by St.
Vrain gave him the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. With-
out delay he set about the difficult and important work
that lay before him, bringing to bear upon the details,
that sound judgment, gentlemanly bearing and ready
zeal, which have long characterized the man. He had
the good fortune to secure the services of Lieutenant
Creigg of the regular army, whom he appointed one
of his aids-de-camp. Having completed his staff, and
other arrangements to place his force upon a military
basis, he was ready to take the field.

The appointment of St. Vrain as Commander of the
Volunteers, was hailed with delight throughout the
Territory. His great experience in the mountains,
his knowledge of the Indian mode of warfare, and the
respect which the people he was called to command
invariably paid him, seemed to convince every think-
ing mind that something more than usual was to be
accomplished. They felt that the wrongs of their
country would now be certainly redressed. The se-
quel will prove that the people were not doomed to
disappointment.

Early in the month of February, 1855, Col. T. T.
Fauntleroy, of the First Regiment of United States
Dragoons, arrived in Taos from Fort Union, New
Mexico.

Fort Union is the first post met with on entering the
Territory of New Mexico from the east. It lies on the

DARING AND EXPERT HORSEMEN. 493

Santa Fe road usually traveled by parties when cross-
ing the plains, and is about one hundred miles distant
from the capital. The site of this fort, at the first
view, is bold and picturesque, as it is located near the
west side of a broad valley, which is continuous' with
the open prairies. The houses composing the fort are
built mostly of logs; and, as there are quite a number of
them, the post has the appearance of a small settlement.
The soil about is sandy, and the place being exposed, it
suffers when the high winds spring up. This fort is
usually garrisoned by several companies of soldiers.

As it has such free access to the mail communication
with the States, it is, comparatively speaking, quite a
desirable fort for an officer to be stationed at. The
difficulty of procuring fuel for the fort, and also other
necessary articles, is the great objection to the present
location, but its importance more than counterbalances
these ; therefore, the post will probably be kept up
either where it is, or in the immediate vicinity, for
many years to come. Colonel Fauntleroy had received
orders from the Department General to proceed to the
town of Taos and take command of the entire expedi-
tion. The little force had been made as powerful
as the resources of the country would permit. The
Mexican Volunteers, soon after their enrollment, pur-
chased woolen shirts and felt hats, the color of which,
in each company, was similar ; this fact, with a little
drilling, gave them quite a military appearance. Never
were men prouder of the position they now held than
the volunteers under consideration ; and a more daring
and expert band of horsemen has been seldom collected.
So pleased were they at being recognized as soldiers,
that they could not, when afterwards marching through

494 MEXICAN PONIES.

their own towns, resist the temptation of jocosely taunt-
ing their countrymen whom they chanced to meet, for
being obliged to till the ground. We have before said
that these men were mounted. At first sight it would
appear as though they would soon be on foot, for their
horses appeared to be in a sad plight for so severe a cam-
paign as that which lay before them. As has often oc-
curred before, looks are frequently deceptive. In this
instance, it was found to be the case ; for, no sooner did
these hardy ponies reach the mountains than their won-
derful powers of endurance began to be exemplified.

When the noble dragoon horses began to droop from
hunger and overwork, these little fellows were fresh
and strong as the day they started. The reason of
this was that the Mexican horses were well versed in
taking care of themselves, and when the snow fell and
prevented their having free access to the dry grass be-
neath, they were not in the least disconcerted ; for,
with the aid of their fore feet, they readily pawed the
snow away and thus obtained full rations; but their
more enlightened rivals did not fully understand this
science, and, owing to a want of proper nourishment,
their strength would fail, gradually, until finally they
broke down.

The only real inconvenience under which the ponies
seemed to labor, arose from tender feet, for the rocky
trails in the mountains rapidly wore away and broke
off their hoofs. This continued, so that at last, reach-
ing the matrix of these horny growths, their feet became
very sensitive. Many of the Mexicans had taken the
precaution to guard against this, before leaving the
towns and military posts which lay on their route.
They had obtained horse-shoes, with which they shod

AMATEUR BLACKSMITHS. 495

the ponies. We remember seeing a large party of them
thus engaged as blacksmiths. It was at night; while
some of them held burning torches, others were busy
with hammers, stones and hatchets in applying all sorts
and sizes of horse and mule shoes, with which they were
content, provided they approached the diameters of
the hoofs to which they were to be nailed. Strange to
Bay, this rough work answered the purpose, and but
few, if any, of the animals so shod, went lame. After
the command had got under full headway, if any of
these ponies became so tender in their feet as to be able
to travel only with great difficulty, their riders resorted
to other expedients for relieving them. When practi-
cable, they obtained the fresh hides of the beef cattle
as they were killed, and, binding the material around
the injured feet, and making it fast about the fetlocks,
they allowed it to dry on. In the morning, thus pro-
tected, the horse could journey on. It is customary
regularly to shoe these ponies only on the fore feet, as
the weight of the animal's head and neck, together
with that of the rider, comes harder on these hoofs, and
causes them, when traveling over sharp rocks, to wear
away quickly. It seldom happens that the hind feet
become tender. The Indians cannot understand the
policy of this, and one of them philosophizing on the
subject, while visiting the blacksmith's shop attached
to a military post, made the remark in Spanish, after
apparently having been for some little time engaged in
a deep study, " that it was not right." Said he, " The
horse, with his eyes, can see where to put his fore feet
when traveling over bad places, but he cannot do this
with those behind ; therefore, you white men ought to
put the moccasins there." The Mexicans had so much

496 KIT CARSOX AS CHIEF GUIDE.

confidence in the powers of endurance of their ponies
while out on this campaign, that they hesitated not to run
them on races, whenever circumstances and the site of
the camp would permit such pastime. The only train-
ing required for these trials of speed, consisted in the
rider foregoing the pleasure of riding for a day or two,
in order to allow his horse to recruit. As their walk-
ing did not in the least interfere with the order of the
march, they of course were permitted to race as they
pleased, for their services on the march were just as
valuable on foot.

Colonel Fauntleroy's command, when completed,
consisted of four companies of Mexican volunteers, two
companies of dragoons, one company of artillery who
were performing duty as a rifle corps, and one com-
pany of spies. The two remaining companies of vol-
unteers were dispatched to exposed towns on the re-
mote frontiers in order to protect them. The artillery
company was the only one on foot ; but the soldiers
who then composed it were known, from actual experi-
ment, to be more than a match for the horses in travel-
ing when the party should reach and penetrate the
mountains. Colonel Fauntleroy engaged the services
of Kit Carson as his chief guide, and, having arranged
all of his plans necessary for a vigorous campaign, he
set out upon its execution.

The command proceeded at first one hundred miles
due north to Fort Massachusetts, which was to be their
depot. Without delay, they left this post and pro-
ceeded, encountering snow-storms and severe cold
weather. The mercury of the thermometer, for most
of the time, ranged several degrees below zero. They
marched to the Rio Grande del Norte, and thence on

AN ACCIDENT TO A PET. 497

up this river to where it makes its exit through a deep
canon from the mountains. It was, as will be remem-
bered by the reader, on the head-waters of this last-
mentioned stream that Colonel Fremont, while en-
gaged in his last great exploring expedition, met
with severe reverses, in which several of his men
lost their lives from exposure, hunger, etc., while he,
and the remainder of his party, barely escaped the
same fate.

While passing over this point of his journey, Colonel
Fauntleroy sent out as an advance party the company
of spies. Their duty was to seek for fresh Indian
trails. On reaching the mouth of the canon of this
river, the main portion of the soldiers halted for a short
time, while their trailers penetrated the mountains in
search of the much desired Indian signs. During this
resting spell an incident occurred which, for an hour
or two, created some little stir and excitement among
part of the men present. A large Newfoundland dog
belonging to an officer had, accidentally, been allowed
to follow the soldiers. By his pranks and his good
disposition he had become a general favorite among
them. While attempting to drink, this animal lost his
foothold on the ice and slipped into the swift current
of the river, which was partially frozen over. The
dog at once attempted to extricate himself, but with
all his efforts he could do no more than stem the flood,
making no progress against it. His situation was very
precarious, for, should his strength begin to give out,
he was certain to be carried under the ice and lost.
The sympathies of the men were soon well awakened
in his behalf, and many plans were devised to rescue
him, but they all proved abortive until, at last, a Mex-

498 ON THE INDIAN TRAIL.

ican approached him with a lasso, and after making
several vain attempts, succeeded finally in encircling
the dog's head with the slip-noose. On tightening the
rope he found that he had the animal firm, and soon
dragged him from his perilous position.

The spies were not long in discovering a trail made
by the Indians, to which they led the main portion of
the command. This trail had been so frequently used
of late by the Indians in driving stolen bands of sheep
and cattle over it, that it was now a well-trodden road,
and, therefore, there was no difficulty in keeping on it
at all hours of the day and night.

Being accustomed to perform his duty carefully,
and at the same time to use dispatch, the Colonel, in
the course of a few days, led his party to the entrance of
the Saquachi Pass, which is the great natural opening
in the mountains that bound on the west the valley of
San Luis. As they approached the mouth of the pass,
the men were traveling close under the hills; therefore,
on coining to it, and in order to follow it up, it was
necessary to turn off almost at a right angle. The
spies, as was usual when the command was on the
march, were considerably in the advance. They had
hardly entered the pass, and had just reached the
summit of a knoll which lay in their path and which
had "hitherto prevented their seeing up the valley,
when, all at once, the long looked for Indians were
presented to their view. They were but a short dis-
tance off, and as if surprised at thus so suddenly dis-
covering each other, both parties halted. During
this state of suspense, the white men noticed that the
Indians were arrayed in their war costume, showing
that they were bound on another plundering expedi-

A WARFARE OF SMALL TALK. 499

tion. Everything went to show that the visit which
the white men were making to their mountain haunts
was unexpected by the red men.

The Indians quickly recovered from their astonish-
ment and began to form in line of battle by spreading
themselves out across the valley. They were evidently
emboldened by the small force with which, apparently,
they had to contend, and felt certain that a victory
would be both easy and sure. Having taken their
position, Blanco, their Chief, was easily recognized by
the red woolen shirt which he wore. He was busy,
riding along in front of his warriors, occasionally stop-
ping to give some command. As they were near enough
so to do, the Indians opened a warfare of small talk, in
the Spanish language. They charged their adversaries
with being afraid to advance, or to use their expressive
words, the Americans were as cowardly as squaws. To
these taunts no reply was made ; but, to keep up the
decoy, the few soldiers who were exposed to view re-
mained stationary, while word was passed to the rear
of what was transpiring in the advance. Thus several
minutes passed by ; but they were not thrown away.
During this time, most of the dragoons and volunteers
were relieving themselves of such extra luggage as
overcoats, blankets, etc. ; saddle girths were tightened
and weapons put in order for immediate use. The In-
dians were finely mounted, and about two hundred and
fifty strong; and, as their wild career had gone so long
unchecked, their bravery was aroused to its highest
pitch. All things being in readiness, the bugle sounded
the command to charge, when away dashed the gallant
soldiers, eager for the affray, and each trying to be
foremost in the fight. As they came bounding over

000 A RUNNING FIGHT.

the knoll before spoken of, the Indians began to see
the delusion under which they had been laboring, and
at once turned to fly, but not in time to escape, for the
soldiers were soon among them, and with their revolv-
ers and small arms were fast thinning their ranks and
sending many a brave to his final home. A running
fight ensued, which was continued up the valley for
about eight miles, when a majority of the Indians
gained the mountains and made good their escape.
The chase was a splendid affair to behold, and many
feats of horsemanship were performed that would be
difficult to excel. Among the foremost in this skir-
mish was, as the reader might readily imagine, Kit
Carson. The pursuit was continued far into the
mountains, and was only given over when night
came on. The soldiers then retire^ to their re-
serve guard, who had established a camp on a small
stream which runs through the centre of the pass,
where their pack animals and stores could De easily
guarded. During this exciting fight several of the
soldiers were slightly wounded. With this exception,
the command came out of the skirmish unharmed. On
the side of the Indians, affairs in this respect were quite
different. Their blood had well sprinkled the battle-
ground, and several of their swarthy forms were
stretched out at full length, sleeping that sleep that
knows no wakening, except it be at the final judgment
day. Had it not been that most of the Indians, as is
usually the case with them when in action, were tied
on their horses, this number would have been aug-
mented. The bloody trails that were afterwards found
in the mountains went to prove that many of the
wounds given to the escaped Indians were mortal,

PRETENDING TO BE DEAD. 501

and, while their horses were carrying them from the
danger, they themselves were sinking from furious
hemorrhage. Early in the pursuit, a fine warrior was
thrown from his horse. As he had been crippled by a
ball, he could not recover himself and make off. For
some time he lay alone and neglected, but when the
rear guard came along they noticed that he was play-
ing a game by pretending to be dead ; but he had
closed his eyes too firmly for a man in that condition,
and this fact attracted the notice of the passers-by. A
Mexican raised his rifle and fired at the brave ; but the
bullet only served to cause another flesh wound. This
so irritated the would-be-dead savage that, seizing his
lance that lay by his side, he attempted to reach and
kill his adversary with it ; but, others coming up, he
was soon dispatched.

While this running fight was in progress, the author
met with an adventure which came near costing him
his life. It was my duty to follow the charging sol-
diers in order to be near at hand to render professional
services to the wounded, should there be any. I was
mounted on a young horse, and when the dragoon
horses started off, he became frightened and unman-
ageable, and was in a short time left far behind, but
not until he had fallen arid thrown me into a thrifty
bed of prickly pears, the thorns of which did not, in
the least, save me from being hurt. On regaining my
feet, I found that my injuries were but slight, and that
I still retained my bridle rein, therefore I quickly re-
gained my seat in the saddle and started on again, re-
membering the old proverb, which says, " All is fair in
war." While riding on, I was joined by a soldier whose
horse had broken down in the charge. As we now ad-

502 THE AUTHOR IN DANGER.

vanced together, our route led us by some large sand
hills, behind which several Indians had sought refuge,
when hotly pursued. Seeing that they had been over-
looked during the excitement of the moment, they re-
mained quiet until we came along, when they made a
dash at us and commenced firing their arrows in fine
style. My horse now became unmanageable, and by
some unaccountable impulse made directly for the In-
dians, seeing which, they fled precipitately. My horse
seemed determined to bring me into uncomfortably
close quarters with a young warrior, who constantly
turned and saluted me with his arrows. As the situa-
tion was getting decidedly unpleasant, I raised myself
in the saddle, and sent a ball from my revolver through
the body of the Indian, which rolled him to the ground
dead, his horse, relieved of his load, galloping away
furiously. As the danger was thick about them, the
balance of the Indians soon left to effect their escape.
Riding back, I soon found the soldier, and attended to
the wounded horse, whose life we were so fortunate as
to save, by putting a ligature about the bleeding vessel.
The night succeeding the day on which this fight oc-
curred, with a single exception, passed by quietly. A
soldier, who lay near the center of the camp, had re-
tired to rest, perhaps impressed with the belief that he
and his comrades would be attacked by the Indians be-
foi« morning ; this train of thought had led him into
dreams of war, and while reveling in them, he imagined
that danger was at hand. Suddenly starting up, and
seizing his rifle, he fired at random. His bullet came
near striking a Mexican sentinel who was on duty, and
who was making his rounds. The sentinel was very
naturally startled by this unaccountable noise in the

A FALSE ALARM. 505

camp, and supposing that the Indians had, unobserved,
crept within the lines, he returned the compliment by
discharging his piece in the direction of the supposed
danger. The report of these fire-arms had the effect of
arousing the entire command. The men were quickly
on their feet and ready for active service. In the
confusion which ensued, several more rifles were fired,
but fortunately no harm was done, and as soon as the
cause of the trouble was explained, quietness and order
was promptly established.

At the break of day, on the next morning, the sol-
diers were up and preparing for their march. The In-
dians had, on this morning, made fires, and even pre-
sented themselves to view on the mountains, but they
were few in number, and it was well known that this
wras only a ruse to allure the white men to the wrong
trail, while their families should have time to escape in
the contrary direction ; hence, but little notice was
taken of these demonstrations.

Colonel Fauntleroy here determined to relieve him-
self of all drawbacks which should in the least tend to
prevent his now giving full chase to the Indians. Ac-
cordingly, he left his baggage and provision train under
escort of the foot company and quartermaster men, the
whole being placed under the command of Lieutenant
Lloyd Beall, of the Second Regiment U. S. Artillery,
with instructions to meet him at an appointed rendez-
vous in the Wet Mountain Valley. It required but a
short search by his guide, Kit Carson, and his spies, to
put him on the right trail taken by the main portion of
the enemy. When it was found, the pursuit was re-
sumed and kept up vigorously. Late and early, the
soldiers followed on this trail, and although the Indians

506 SCALPING A WOMAN.

purposely led them over the worst conceivable route,
yet they gained nothing substantial by it. On one oc-
casion, when the men were pushing on as fast as possi-
ble, their advance guard surprised three Indians, one
of them a woman, while they were leisurely watering
their ponies. These Indians attempted to fly, and suc-
ceeded in making a good run for about four miles, but,
at the end of that distance, two of them were over-
taken. A Mexican, who was mounted on a very swift
horse, was the first to come up with the savages. He
h'red and brought the woman to the ground. Quickly
dismounting, he made a trophy of her scalp. The
other Indian, being arrested by a slight wound, was
made a prisoner. On questioning him, it was found
that they all belonged to one family. The man who
had made his escape, was the husband of the woman
who was killed, while the prisoner was her brother.
These Indians had heard nothing of the recent fight in
the Saquachi .Pass, and, had the soldiers dropped down
from the heavens, they could not have been more sur-
prised at thus unceremoniously meeting them. It was
very much regretted by those present that this Indian
woman had lost her life ; but, as she was dressed in the
disguise of a man, her sex could not be recognized.
There are many of our readers who will perhaps cen-
sure this Mexican for his barbarous action of sculping
a human being, but it must be remembered that the
education of his people is different from our own. The
taking of Indian scalps for a long time has been au-
thorized by the Mexican Government, as a means of
lessening their savage enemies, and handsome premi-
ums have been offered as an inducement to obtain
them. In the case of this Mexican, there were exten-

IXDIAX MODE OF SCALPING. 507

*

uating circumstances which, if they did not warrant
such a cruel act, yet they rendered him somewhat ex-
cusable. He had recently lost a near and dear relative
by the hands of these same Indians, and the appear-
ance of this mangled body was still fresh in his mem-
ory, making him to thirst for revenge. It must not be
supposed for a moment that the commanding officer of
this expedition had sanctioned such a mode of proced-
ure, for he had no knowledge of the matter until after
it had been ended. It was not within his province to
preach humanity to a people who had been so greatly
outraged by savages. He came to punish and not to in-
tercede for wild men who had long been a terror to the
surrounding country, and upon whom, in order to recon-
cile them, every kind act had been expended in vain.

It may possibly be asked whether a man, who has
simply lost his scalp, can recover. In reply we can
safely say that without any other wound, and under
favorable circumstances, with good care, the sufferer
stands a chance of being restored to health. There
was a man who formerly was living and working at
his trade as a blacksmith in Santa Fe, who, in a fight
with the Camanches while crossing "the plains, was
wounded by a lance and then scalped. After a long
period of suffering, this person entirely recovered, al-
though the cicatrix of the wound was ever afterwards
a source of annoyance to him, compelling him contin-
ually to wear a skull-cap made of oiled silk. The size
of the scalp, as usually taken off by the Indians, varies.
Sometimes they remove only the back covering of the
head. At other times they cut off the whole, running
down even with the margin of the ear. When a man
has died in a manner which the Indians style as "brave"

508 AN INDIAN SCALP DANCE.

— that is, desperately fighting for his life, and never for
once showing fear, they take two scalps, one from either
side of the head. The object of this is, to have scalp
dances for each, as they consider such a man as deserv-
ing the fate of two ordinary men. These scalps are
often stretched, dried, decorated and frequently kept
for years as trophies. The more scalps a warrior takes,
the greater favorite he becomes with his tribe ; and
finally, having obtained a given number, he is consid-
ered eligible to fill the office of War Chief, provided he
has other qualifications, such as the power of quickly
conceiving the right plan on which to act in case of
emergency. When a party of Indians in the Rocky
Mountains have been on a war trail, met the enemy
and vanquished them, they appoint a brave who is hon-
ored as being the scalp-bearer. This warrior carries a
long pole, to which, at suitable distances from each other,
the scalps are attached. When the party returns to,
and enters their own village, this brave is the observed
of all observers. Eagerly, by the old men, women and
children, these bloody trophies are counted, for each of
them offers an occasion for rejoicing, to be at separate
intervals of time. They are, then, each synonymous
with the phrase, a fete day, and the scalp-bearer is
looked upon with the same jealous eye which greets
the color-bearer of an army, after having been engaged
in some great battle which has proved successful to his
standard. An Indian will not remove, as a general
thing, a scalp which contains gray hairs. This he con-
siders to be a business fit only for women. The scalp
which is to cause a general jubilee, on an appointed
evening, is attached to the top of a long pole, planted
in the earth at a suitable place. The warriors who

INDIAN SCALP DANCE.

A TERRIBLY HIDEOUS SCENE. 511

have been instrumental in tearing it from the head
of its owner, form a circle around the pole, outside
of which arc arranged the spectators. By the aid of
one drumstick, the person who has been detailed for
this duty, keeps up a beating motion on a sort of
kettle-drum, the noise of which serves the purpose of
marking time. The voices of the dancers make the
music. At first the song is a mere humming sound,
but after a time, it grows gradually louder, until the
participants in the dance, being excited to the highest
attainable pitch with interest in the ceremonies, it be-
comes terribly hideous. Almost naked, with toma-
hawk and hunting-knife in hand, the warriors imitate
the process of dispatching and tearing off the scalps of
their victims. So excited do the dancing savages
sometimes become while reveling in these fantastical
scenes, that they frequently are aroused to a pitch
which borders on frenzy. The spectators of these
sights get so deeply interested that it is not an extra-
ordinary matter for them to appear as if almost de-
ranged. Their excitement breaks out into exclamations
of encouragement and applause, until at last they can
control themselves no longer, and, on their own ac-
count, commence making bodily demonstrations of joy
by jumping about. The scalp dance may last an en-
tire night, or until, worn down with fatigiie, the actors
are willing to forego their pleasure and seek rest. The
Mexicans on the frontiers have fallen into this Indian
custom, and they can go into the spirit of the scalp
dance with a relish which fully equals that exhibited
by their savage neighbors. This is not true as a gen-
eral rule ; but, very many of their people really enjoy
these ceremonies.

512 AN INDIAN VILLAGE.

Colonel Fauntleroy and his men traveled at such a
rapid pace that, in the course of a very few days, they
succeeded in once more overtaking the main village
belonging to the enemy. The Indians took refuge in
a steep and rocky mountain. A skirmishing fight im-
mediately commenced, which lasted several hours.
During this engagement, a large number of the savage
warriors were killed, their band completely routed, and
the inhabitants of the whole village made to scatter in
every direction in order to save their lives. At first
the braves attempted to make a stand, but they were
driven from rock to rock, until they broke their ranks
and fled. It was about the time of this crisis, and
when they were most needed, that the dragoon horses
began to break down and die.

The word village has many times appeared in our
pages, and as it may prove ambiguous to a few of our
readers and render them liable to confound its meaning
with that of a fixed town, we will here stop and ex-
plain its signification when applied to Indians. An
Indian village, as understood in border parlance, com-
prises the lodges, the women, children, old men, and
such movable property as Indians may chance to pos-
sess. They are usually found in some safe retreat
where the old men, women and children stay while the
warriors are engaged following the hunt or war path.
The word has become more generalized since it was
first given to stationary camps of the savages, and rnay
now include any band of Indians traveling with their
families and property. The village is the home of the
red man, where those persons and things which he
most cherishes he tries to keep intact and sacred from
the spoiler's hand. It is also where the Indian allows

YOUTH AND OLD AGE. 515

his love, friendship and all the better feelings of his
nature to exhibit themselves. It is where in early
youth he has listened to the legends of his tribe, and
where he is taught those lessons and forced to endure
those trials which are to prepare his heart in seeking
out revenge. It is the place where, as he approaches
the age of manhood, he takes those steps which are to
make for him the reputation of a daring hunter and
brave warrior. Here he first learns to shoot his arrows
with precision, and to handle the lance with dexterity.
His boyish feats in horsemanship, which he daily per-
forms in the village, would be witnessed with astonish-
ment by skillful riders. It is here that he runs to wel-
come his father when he returns either from the chase
or the war path ; and, while he listens to the mar-
velous adventures which his sire has encountered, he
secretly wishes himself a man, so that he can emulate
his greatness. In fact, the same feelings exist between
parent and child with the Indian race, as with those
who boast of being more civilized. Youth and the
vigor of manhood are the golden days with the savage.
To be doomed to old age, is considered by him to be a
punishment. When he is no longer able to hunt and
seek out his enemy, he loses his desire to live. His
life is then considered an incumbrance to the camp.
The old and infirm, therefore, are often willingly
deserted, that they may the more quickly die. The
village is always under the surveillance of men who
are past the middle age, and who no longer can act
out the stirring deeds of the warrior. Their ex-
perience renders them capable of giving good advice,
and attending to the less active affairs of the nation.
They hold the power of restraining the rashness and

30

516 ALWAYS PREPARED FOR DANGER.

indiscretion of the younger men, therefore they are
selected to watch over the property of the tribe, while
the strong warriors are seeking to provide the de-
pendent portion of the band with food, or to revenge
their real or imaginary wrongs. Order and good fel-
lowship is made to prevail in these villages, somewhat
similar to the habits found in civilized communities,
for the passions and evil propensities of all men are
found to be alike, no matter what differences of educa-
tion or color exist. We find that the Indian tribes
have their wise men, whose voices are heard and
heeded on all occasions. When these villages are
located, or, to use soldier phrase, when the Indians go
into camp, care is taken that each lodge shall be placed
where it will not interfere with the common good.
The internal economy of these habitations is arranged
on a social system which, in many respects, is com-
mendable. When one person is poor, generally speak-
ing, the whole tribe is found to be so. The herds of
horses and mules belonging to the tribe, are turned
loose in one body, as if they were the property of one
man. If game exists in plenty and danger is not ap-
prehended, happiness holds complete sway within these
Indian homes. The proverbial caution of the red man
rarely allows him to be surprised ; therefore, even in
times of peace, he keeps his fleetest horse tied, at the
door of his lodge, so that he may make haste and col-
lect his property, and be away before his enemy can
harm him. These favorite animals are fed by hand.
Before trusting his body in sleep, some warrior, in
whom the tribe repose the utmost confidence, must
ascend a neighboring eminence, if there chance to be
one, and examine the country in search of dangers.

DRAGOON HORSES BREAKING DOWN. 517

Parties are always kept out as spies, and, at the least
appearance of suspicious signs, they become easily
aroused and vigilant, and if danger really exists, word
is immediately sent to their village to be ready to
move. This is a homely but literal interpretation of
the term Indian village.

The reader has seen that the dragoon horses gave
out before the fatigues of the march, while the Mexican
ponies performed their tasks so admirably and easily.

This was a painful subject to contemplate and one
which no man who loves the noble horse could wish to
witness the second time. The dragoon horses, reduced
to skeletons from starvation while retaining all their
natural spirit, with tottering limbs, faithfully tried to
perform the labor which their riders, seemingly, asked
of them. Long before the arrival of the time when
they could no longer support a burden, the soldiers had
humanely relieved them from this work and were assist-
ing them, by all the means in their power, to reach a
haven of safety, where food, so essential in restoring
their sinking powers of life, existed in abundance. As
their little remaining strength was leaving them, they
would exhibit the fact by staggering. Finally, break-
ing down in their hinder legs, they would sink to the
ground, but not until they had made the effort to drag
themselves along with their fore feet. To relieve them
from their agonies and prevent their falling into the
hands of the Indians, one by one, they were shot.

When these horses broke down and began to die off,
it was decided to be best to return to Fort Massachu-
setts in order to recruit and also to allow the Indians
an opportunity to concentrate their forces, when an-
other effective blow could be struck against them. On

518 TERRIBLY COLD WEATHER.

his return, Colonel Fauntleroy met, at the designated
place, Lieutenant Beall, who had managed the affairs
intrusted to him very much to his credit. Having once
more consolidated his command, Colonel Fauntleroy re-
tired to Fort Massachusetts, which he made, for a time,
his head-quarters.

Kit Carson, the guide of this expedition, when after,
wards speaking of it, says, "During the time our forces
were in the field they were exposed to the most intense
cold weather I ever remember experiencing. We were
overtaken by several severe snow-storms which came
near completely using us up."

For the success that had so far attended the labors of
this body of soldiers, the greatest amount of praise is
due to their leader, who set a noble example to his
men. During those hours when hardships and trials
came thickest upon the command, all eyes were turned
to the commander, and, as the result proved, with no
lack of confidence. Kit Carson's services were found
to be invaluable. His long experience and untiring
energy proved to be one of the best anchors of the
goodly ship.

We should not omit to state, in regard to the sever-
ity of the cold, that it was early in the morning, just
before the break of day, that the cold was invariably
found to be the most intense. During this time, it is
the greatest wonder that the Mexicans did not perish,
for but few of them had more than one blanket as a
covering by night, and the remainder were but very
little better provided for. When wood was plenty, and
they were allowed so to do, they made large fires and
laid down near them to attempt to sleep. After about
one hour thus spent, they were routed out by being

FREEZING AND THAWING OUT. 519

nearly frozen. Getting into close contact with the fires,
they would thaw out and then were ready to make an-
other endeavor to repeat the sleeping operation. In
this manner they managed to live through each night,
and on the following day they were, apparently, none
the worse for wear. A person judging these men as he
oftentimes sees them during the summer season, bask-
ing in the sunlight on the sunny side of their houses in
New Mexico, would not, for an instant, suppose that
they could undergo such hardships ; and yet, they can
do so, as the above example sufficiently proves, without
allowing one murmur of complaint to escape their lips.
With the regulars, who were amply supplied with
blankets and buffalo robes, it would appear that they
could have obtained sound sleep. But this, too, proved
to be almost an impossibility. The heat of the man's
body, during the early and warmer part of the night,
Herved to melt the icy covering of the mother earth
just under him. When the cold increased, this was
again frozen, rendering the portion of the body nearest
to the ground almost benumbed. By frequently revers-
ing the posture a little, some relief from suffering was
obtained but not sufficient to reach a degree which
could be called comfortable, or, in the least, be claimed
as desirable. Every member of this expedition can
truthfully assert that they have experienced a foretaste
of what the first symptoms of freezing to death must be.
Finally, the command reached Fort Massachusetts,
where, in ease and plenty, the half starved, half frozen,
half used-up men, soon forgot all their troubles and
privations. A few weeks spent at the fort acted like a
magic charm in recruiting the men and the remaining
animals, when they were once more in a fit condition,

520 COMFORT AND LUXURY IN CAMP.

.and, again eager to go on the war path, anxiously de-
siring to surpass the splendid deeds of their first tramp.

At the permanent camp which was made near Fort
Massachusetts, the Mexican Volunteers, especially, en-
joyed themselves hugely. From privations of various
kinds, to which they had shown themselves to be well
trained, and which consequently affected them but lit-
tle, they were suddenly placed in a state of compara-
tive comfort, and even luxury, rarely realized at their
own homes. They had not much else to do beyond
guarding their animals and attending to such other
minor duties as were required by camp duties. Had
not their hardy ponies required the rest that was now
being given them, these troops would have been kept
in more active service ; but, as this could not be, they
were allowed a respite, which they themselves turned
into pleasure. Foot races and various athletic games
were concocted and played by them, making the time
pass merrily by. Their discipline and respect for their
officers had reached a degree seldom, if ever, attained
by volunteer soldiers, and which, in many respects,
could be imitated with advantage by regular troops.
But the time soon arrived for the march to be resumed.

At a council held among the chief officers, it was de-
cided that the best and surest course to be followed
would be to divide the forces and send them out in
quest of the Indians, as if they were separate com-
mands. Thus it might happen that, being caught be-
tween the two, as they were running from danger they
would rush into it and receive chastisement sufficient
to answer all purposes. Acting on this plan, Colonel
St. Vrain, with most of the Volunteers, was ordered to
proceed in one direction, while Colonel Fauntleroy,

THE VALLEY OF SA1* LUIS. 521

with the main division, started in another ; while on
his route, Colonel Faimtleroy traveled close in under
the mountains, and kept his men as much concealed as
possible, making most of his marches by night. He
traveled through the Valley of San Luis up to its head.

The Valley of San Luis is about one hundred miles
in length. Its greatest width is fifty miles. On either
side it is bounded by snow-capped mountains. The
scenery of the valley is very prepossessing, being sure
to enchant the eye throughout its entire length. In
the south, the valley is continuous with prairie land,
which extends down as far as the settlement of Rio
Colorado. It is well watered by mountain streams,
and bears the appearance of being an excellent farming
district ; but, the probability is, that its climate is too
cold for raising crops, and that its true value will be
found chiefly to consist in using it for grazing purposes.
From time to time the Indians have reported that it
contains gold mines, but there are no authentic proofs
that this is a fact.

At one time, the Indians succeeded in making the
Mexicans converts to the belief in the existence of
these mines, as they showed them specimens of gold
which they affirmed to have been taken from them. It
was agreed that, for this valuable information, presents,
such as blankets, horses, and guns, should be made to
those Indians who had openly proclaimed the good
news, provided they could conduct the Mexicans to
them. A party was formed and started to explore the
valley, but, as nothing was afterward heard of their
success, and, as many of them, to all external appear-
ances, were as poor as ever when they returned, it is
presumed that they were duped by the Indians. The

522 PUNCHI PASS.

bottom-land of the Rio Grande which skirts the south"
ern border of the valley of San Luis is, judging from
the luxuriant hay crops which it produces, year by
year, a fine farming section.

While passing up the valley of San Luis, Colonel
Fauntleroy came to the Punchi Pass. This pass i^the
main opening through the mountains which bound the
valley of San Luis on the north. The pass itself is less
than half a mile wide, but yet it presents some of the
grandest scenery human eyes ever beheld. The moun-
tains, on either side, are not so lofty as their compeers
close by, but they are rugged and picturesque. Through
the pass runs a bold stream, which, at about midway
(and at this time) was obstructed by a beaver dam,
that was so scientifically constructed as immediately to
attract the attention of the entire party. Near to this
dam there is a very large hot spring, which is located
close under the base of one of the mountain sides, and
which, under the favorable circumstance of a fine day,
lends enchantment to the view. The Punchi Pass is
but a few miles long, and leads into a beautiful little
valley, called by the Mexicans after the same name
which is given to the pass.

On arriving at the Punchi Pass, Colonel Fauntleroy
proceeded on through it to the head-waters of the
Arkansas River, where, fortunately, a fresh trail made
by the Indians was found. This trail was followed
with such assiduity and prudence that the camp of
some spies belonging to the enemy, and which was in
their rear, was passed by the Americans one night
without their presence being noticed. Early the en-
suing morning (before the break of day), the main
village of the Indians was discovered. Its occupants

SACKING AN INDIAN VILLAGE. 523

were enjoying a war and scalp dance, and their voices,
as engaged in the song which usually accompanies such
festivities, could be heard for a distance of at least a
mile. Unconscious of danger, they were having a
merry time. One can imagine, better than can be de-
scribed, the scene that followed when three hundred
loaded rifles poured their contents into this crowd.
Suffice it to say, that among those who survived this
terrible retribution, the greatest consternation pre-
vailed ; but, as a dernier resort, they began to fly,
wheii *iiey were hotly pursued by the soldiers. Be-
fore quitting their late camp, some of the savages had
managed to get their own rifles, and with them to fire
several shots which did some execution, as two soldiers
were killed and two wounded.

Thus it will be seen that the main village of these
Apaches and Utahs fell into the hands of the Americans.
It proved to be rich in plunder, for it contained all their
stock of dried buffalo meat, besides other provisions.
Also, several cart-loads of robes, saddles, weapons,
ropes, skins, blankets, trinkets and camp equipage.
Most of this property was collected and destroyed by
fire, being of little use to the command, whose means
of conveyance were limited to their own actual wants.
The number of Indians killed in this surprise has been
variously estimated, as has been also the number of
the red men on the ground when the carnage com-
menced ; but all agree that this was the severest blow
these savages had ever received.

Among the many other objects of curiosity found by
the victors, was a " Medicine lodge," which had, from ap-
pearance, but recently been in full blast. It was highly
(and to Indian eyes it must have been very artistically)

524 A CAPTURED MEDICINE LODGE.

decorated, and contained all the emblems and symbols
of witchcraft. If sickness was to be frightened away,
or even coaxed to dethrone itself from the afflicted,
there was sufficient in this temple of the Indian gods,
seemingly, to have answered either purpose. Some
potentate of the magnitude of a great chief had, evi-
dently, but a few hours since, been its occupant ; for,
in his hurry to desert the premises, on hearing the
music of the white man's rifle, he had forgotten his
beautiful head-dress of feathers, and other articles per-
taining to his wardrobe, which designated to the cap-
tors his high rank. Perhaps, and the surmise may not
be far out of the way, this chief was suffering from a
gunshot wound inflicted in a recent fight by his pale-
faced enemy, and having received one of their most
dangerous potions of lead, he was not anxious for
another, and therefore made his escape with the activity
of a well man.

In this expedition, a company of artillery,* who
have before been described, doing duty as infantry,
performed a feat that will compare well with anything
of the same kind on record. These men, under the
command of Lieutenant Beall, who shared all the pri-
vations of his soldiers, marched on foot through a mix-
ture of mud and snow, nearly ankle deep, over an
uneven country, from the Mosco Pass in the Valley of
San Luis, to the head-waters of the Arkansas River, a
distance which is computed at eighty-five miles, in
thirty-six hours, including all their stoppages. This
company had been long celebrated as being expert
marksmen, therefore their services were much needed
when the Indian village was discovered. Although

•Company D, 2d Regiment U. S. Artillery.

SUEING FOR PEACE. 525

nearly broken down with fatigue, yet as soon as the
electrifying news of the enemy being so near at hand
reached them, it seemed to inspire them with new
vigor. They dashed ahead, and gallantly led the van
in this assault, which terminated so favorably to the
side of the Americans.

Colonel Fauntleroy was not satisfied with the vic-
tory already obtained; but, after having accomplished
all that was possible for him in this quarter, and hav-
ing scattered the Indians to the four winds, he deter-
mined to make forced marches in order to surprise an-
other band of them, who were supposed to be located in
a distant mountain haunt well known to his guide. His
object in thus hurrying away from the scenes of his
late triumph, was to reach and surprise the Indians be-
fore their friends had time to travel to and apprise them
of their defeat. In this manoeuvre he was also suc-
cessful. He came upon this second band also before
they were aware of their danger. They were routed,
and after severe loss were followed far into the moun-
tains. At this camp, Blanco, the celebrated Apache
chief, was driven to such close quarters that he evi-
dently began to feel that the safety of his whole tribe
stood in jeopardy. He made his appearance on a high
point of rocks, and asked the white men who occupied
the plain beneath for a parley, which was granted him.

He said, in the Spanish language, that he and his
Indians wished to make peace ; that they were tired
of fighting. In reply, he was informed that the terms
he demanded would be listened to on his coming into
the soldiers' camp. He was going on to say that he
was afraid to trust himself there, when a bullet was
sent whizzing by his head, which caused him to de-

526 AMONG THE PHILISTINES.

camp in all haste. It was ascertained, afterwards, that
a Mexican, who had great antipathy to this chief, had,
unknown to the rest of the party, crept secretly up
into the rocks. When he had reached a place where
Blanco was within the range of his pifle, he fired; but,
as the reader has inferred, he missed an accurate aim.

At this latter camp or village, and near the close of
this same day, another incident happened which will
long be remembered by those who witnessed it. Two
Indians, who probably had been absent to some distant
section of the country, having no knowledge of the
matters which had lately been transpiring, were seen
approaching. Gradually they drew near to a grove of
cotton-wood trees in which the soldiers were resting,
thinking, no doubt, that they were about to meet their
friends. A mountaineer by the name of Stewart, who
commanded the spy company, and another man, one
of the Mexican volunteers, immediately on seeing the
Indians, sprang upon the backs of their horses which
chanced to be near by, and started out to attack them.
Not until these Indians saw the men advancing, were
they made aware of their danger ; when instantly they
turned around their animals, and put them on a keen
run for the nearest mountain. They were pursued, and
the race hotly contested for at least two miles ; but
the Indians succeeded in making their escape, although
shots were fired at them, and returned by the Indians.
In doing so, one of them was obliged to dismount and
leave his horse behind him, which fell into the hands
of his pursuers.

At the time that the chief Blanco was endeavoring
to gain a parley, a stirring scene was being enacted at
the soldiers' camp, which was several miles distant.

JUST IN TIME. 527

Most of the soldiers had left it, and were then out en-
gaged in the business of scouring the country. In the
camp there were all the pack animals, provisions, lug-
gage, etc., of the command. To guard this property
there were only about fifty men left, who, anticipa-
ting no danger, were employing themselves in cooking
and otherwise providing for the wants of their absent
friends against their return. The herd of mules was
scattered about, and grazing under the charge of a few
herders. Suddenly a band of about one hundred war-
riors were discovered coming down the little valley
where the camp was located. The alarm was given,
when each man, seizing his rifle, rushed to place him-
self in the line of sentinels which were forming around
the property. The mules were quickly driven together
in a compact body into the centre of the camp. Hardly
had this movement been performed, before the red men
came galloping by. Seeing the smallness of the force
opposed to them, they made two or three attempts at
an attack on the weakest points of the line. They
were about to succeed, when a shout went up from the
Americans, who descried relief in the shape of the foot
company, which, having been left behind for one night
in order to make easy marches and thus partially rest
themselves, was now approaching. The Indians saw
the near approach of this powerful re-inforcement, and,
using that discretion which is often the better part of
valor, they started off and were soon lost sight of. Had
not this re-inforcement providentially thus arrived, the
Indians would have certainly captured the pack mules
belonging to the soldiers and got away with them. Never
was succor hailed with more delight than on this occa-
sion ; for, had the red men succeeded in this endeavor,

528 PRAIRIE OX FIRE.

the benefits of this whole campaign would have been
greatly frustrated.

Colonel Fauntleroy, after thoroughly scouring the
adjacent country in the hope of meeting with parties
of straggling Indians, but, as the result proved, without
success, returned to Fort Massachusetts, where he had
the satisfaction of learning that Colonel St. Vrain, in
his expedition, had caught other bands of these same
Indians, and most severely chastised them.

The Fort Massachusetts here referred to, was aban-
doned some years ago, and another one has been built,
distant about six miles from the original site. The
name is retained for the new defences, which are lo-
cated on the river Trinchera. The present location is
picturesque and beautiful in the extreme.

In one of his fights, Colonel St. Vrain had overtaken
the red men on the prairies, where a running battle
ensued, in which the volunteers killed many of the
enemy, and made several prisoners. During this skir-
mish the Indians tried the ruse of setting fire to the
prairie grass, and, as the wind was blowing in the di-
rection from whence their foes were coming, they
hoped thereby to impede their progress, and thus give
themselves time to escape ; but the volunteers boldly
rode through the flames, and successfully continued the
chase.

The time for which the New Mexican volunteers had
enlisted, was fast drawing to a close ; but, as the hostile
Utahs and Apaches were scattered to the four winds, it
was thought best not to send out again a regularly ap-
pointed force to act against them. Instead, while await-
ing the effect of their late telling blows, it was decided
to be judicious to keep out, in different directions, small

THE "WAGON MOUND." 529

scouting parties, who could better follow the trails of
the small parties of fugitive Indians with some pros-
pect of success. It wns now the season for the richly
laden caravans to arrive on the borders of the territory,
and perchance they might fall in with bands of the hos-
tile savages of sufficient strength to cause them trouble ;
or, it might be, the Indians would combine in sufficient
strength, being driven by pressing want, to capture some
one of these trains, and thus obtain the material for re-
newing the contest. In view of these apprehensions,
it was decided that the regular troops should go out on
the plains, where they could be on hand ready to afford
protection in case of need. Major Blake, in command
of the dragoons, started out and faithfully performed
this mission. After this duty was fully accomplished,
he visited the mountains to the north-east of Fort Mas-
sachusetts, and then returned to Taos via the fort and
the intervening Mexican towns.

While intimating the dangers which may befall trains
on their journey across the plains, especially in time of
Indian war, it may be well to narrate a fatal adventure
which once happened to a mail party while traveling this
route. Not many miles from Fort Union, and on the
plains, there is a clump of hills known as the "Wagon
Mound," so called from their resemblance to one of
those peculiar wagons which are used to transport valu-
able freight across the country. It being dangerous
times, a party of ten picked men had been sent out to
insure the safe transit of the mail. Everything went
well with the little band of travelers, and their pros-
pects were becoming bright for making a safe journey,
when, suddenly, a large band of hostile Apaches and
Utahs hove in sight. The mail party, on making this

530 FEARFUL MASSACRE.

discovery, immediately halted and prepared for a fight.
The Indians very soon granted to them this favor. At
first, the attack was sharply maintained, but, at last,
fortune favored the whites, for the time being, and they
succeeded in repulsing their foes, who retreated out of
sight. The mail party being thus freed from the un-
pleasant society of the Indians, at once hitched up their
teams and proceeded on their route. It was afterwards
learned that the Apaches made the first attack, but
they were countenanced by the Utahs, who remained
close by. On the return of the unsuccessful war party
of Apaches to the Utahs, the latter at once com-
menced charging them with cowardice, and boasted
that they could have done better. The true state of
the case was, that the Utahs were using the Apaches as
tools by which to gain plunder, crying "go dog," while
they themselves were keeping out of harm's way. The
anger of the Apaches was fully aroused at these deri-
sive imputations. Under the new impulse, they said to
the Utahs, "If you will help, we will return and show
you whether we are afraidv to meet these pale-faces."
Another attack having been decided upon, the Indians
set out and overtook the mail party once more near
to this " Wagon Mound." It was snowing fast at
the time, therefore the white men were comfortably
traveling in their vehicles and had their guns protected
with suitable coverings to prevent their being injured,
for they anticipated no further danger. The curtains of
the mail wagons were all fastened down, and there was
no look-out kept, for it was considered sufficient to pre-
pare for the furies of the storm. The Indians accord-
ingly approached unperceived, and made such a desper-
ate attack that all the white men were quickly killed.

DIED FROM OVER-EATING. 531

Not one, if the boasts of the Indians can be believed,
had time to get out from his seat. Several days elapsed
and no tidings were heard of the expected mail party J
therefore a body of men started out in quest of the miss-
ing men, and found them sleeping the last sleep which
knows no awakening. The bodies of the dead were
decently interred; and, since that day, the "Wagon
Mound " is pointed out to the traveler, accompanied
with an historical account of this awful tragedy.

During the campaign under consideration, several
Indian children were captured. These were generally
under the age of ten years. They could not stand the
kindly -planned treatment which they received while in
bondage, for many of them died from over-eating, after
having so long been accustomed to Indian frugality.
One of the women prisoners taken openly declared, and
there is no reason why she should not be believed, that
many of the younger children belonging to her tribe had
been strangled by their parents and friends in order to
prevent their becoming an inconvenience, and thus pre-
vent their being able to prosecute the war, thereby show-
ing that their hatred of the white man was deeply rooted,
and that their anger had been aroused to its highest
degree. On the publishing of peace, those Indian chil-
dren who still lived, were collected, and, through the
Indian agents, restored to their relatives and friends.
The good effect which the moral of this campaign had
on the surrounding Indian nations cannot be denied.
They soon became loud in proclaiming their friendships
for the Americans. Taking advantage of the now crip-
pled condition of the Utahs and Apaches, their enemies,
the Arrapahoes and Cheyennes, were ready to pounce
upon them at a moment's warning. The opportunity

S)

532 A NOBLE CHIEFTAIN.

did not, however, present itself until long after peace
had been established with the white men, when the
Utahs and Apaches had been able to recover from their
losses and collect again.

War party after war party of Cheyennes and Arrap-
ahoes entered the country of their old enemies, the
Apaches and Utahs, but returned unable to find them.
Yellow Bear, a head war chief of the Arrapahoes, did
not accompany his braves on these expeditions, and he
would not believe that they could not find either the
Apaches or Utahs ; therefore, to show his people that
there was one warrior living of the olden stamp, he
started, accompanied only by his youngest squaw, to
meet and fight them. A severe snow-storm compelled
this noble chieftain to come into Fort Massachusetts.
While he was there, the commanding officer of the post
endeavored to dissuade him from his rash undertaking.
In reply the chief said :

*e Captain, my young men are no longer warriors.
They have become squaws. I sent them to seek our na-
tion's enemies. They went, discovered their fires and
counted their lodges, but were afraid to attack them.
I am now on my way to find the Utah village, where I
intend, either to smoke the pipe of peace, or offer fight
to any three of their chiefs. If they kill me otherwise
than fairly, perhaps it will stir up once more the fire
in the breast of the warriors of the Arrapahoe nation."

This speech was delivered with so much pathos, and
yet with such an oratorical air, that the interpreter was
enabled to catch and translate every word of it. Yel-
low Bear was now informed of the recent campaign
against the Utahs and Apaches, but the news made
no change in his determination. The advice was

A MASTERPIECE OF ACTING. 533

thrown away, as he was found conversant with the
whole proceedings of the campaign. We have brought
in this incident to show how surrounding tribes are di-
rectly affected and personally interested in the results
of all military transactions with hostile Indians. As
we have taken up for a theme the story of this brave
and really noble Indian, it may prove interesting to
some of our readers if we complete the picture. Yel-
low Bear was always the firm friend of Kit Carson, both
by word and action. He was the finest specimen of
an Indian that the writer ever laid eyes on. He stood
in his moccasins over six feet ; straight and symmetri-
cally proportioned. The head, however, was the main
attraction of this Indian. Never was a statesman pos-
sessed of a better. . We once heard him address a large
council of his warriors, and, although we could not un-
derstand one word he said, yet our attention was fixed
on the man, for we never saw, either before or since,
.such majestic gestures, mixed with equal grace, in any
speaker. It was a masterpiece of acting, and from the
"humphs," or grunts, ejaculated by his auditors, we
were inclined to think that the speech wras impressive.
There was one great point about this chief, which those
who are familiar with the Indian race, as they now ex-
ist, cannot but admire. He was never known to beg j
rather than do this, we believe, he would have actually
starved. _ We will finish this description of Yellow Bear
by adding that he finally listened to the advice of the
then commanding officer of Fort Massachusetts, and
returned to his own nation.

On the final arrival at Taos of the troops engaged in
this brilliant Indian campaign against the Utahs and
Apaches, they received orders to disband. Those whose

534 INDIANS SUEING FOR PEACE.

calling was arms, returned to their respective military
posts, while the New Mexicans scattered to seek their
homes, where they were received and justly treated as
heroes. Before the forces were dispersed, the Pueblo
Indians, who had been employed in the spy companies,
gave, with the aid of their friends, by moonlight, a
grand war-dance entertainment in the plaza of the
town. It proved a fine display of this time-honored
Indian custom.

The combined efforts of the two commanders, Col-
onel Fauntleroy and Lieutenant -Colonel St. Vrain,
aided by their followers, among whom Kit Carson
played a most conspicuous and important part, had the
effect to compel the Indians to send a delegate to Santa
Fe, commissioned to sue for peace. Peace was finally
granted, which formed a most happy and pleasing ter-
mination to this brilliant Indian campaign.

It proved afterwards that a great mistake was made
in hastily allowing these Indians to evade the punish-
ment they so richly deserved, and which was being so
summarily inflicted, by entertaining so soon conciliatory
measures. At the council that was subsequently held,
it was found that only a part of the Apaches were pres-
ent to sanction the proceedings, and that the remain-
der were still in the mountains, and were either hostile
or undecided what course they would pursue. Kit Car-
son, their agent, was at the meeting, and earnestly
opposed the policy of making a treaty so long as any
portion of the two nations were insubordinate, as it
offered a loop-hole for those present to creep out when-
ever they were so inclined. He said " that now was
the time, if ever, when they might, at a smaH additional
expense, and with the prospect of saving many valuable

WEAK DIPLOMACY. 535

lives, show these Indians that they were dealing with
a powerful government." His voice and experience
were overruled by the other officials present, and the
treaty was made. It stipulated that the Indians should
receive certain sums annually in case they would settle
down and commence farming, and that they should be
allowed to select their own locality, within certain pre-
scribed limits. The making of such offers to tribes of sav-
ages half subdued is absurd. The wisdom of this asser-
tion has since been clearly shown, for hardly one article
contained in the treaty there made has been carried out.
The actions of those Apaches present at the council
were trifling in the extreme, notwithstanding which,
they were presented with some cattle. These they ob-
jected to receiving, on the ground that they were not
fat enough to suit their fastidious tastes. They inso-
lently addressed the Government officials in the follow-
ing strain : " If you do not give us better, we will again
take the road where we can have our choice."

The fact was, that these half-starved rascals saw that
the white men were anxious to make peace, and hence
they assumed a haughty air in order to drive a good
bargain.

The great results which should have been brought
about by the teachings of Colonels Fauntleroy and St.
Vrain, by this weak diplomacy, were more or less frus-
trated. These gentlemen, however, had won great re-
nown. They had the savages driven to such extremes
that one more expedition, led by them in person, would
have subdued all their obstinacy, and made them over-
anxious for peace. The Indians had been seven times
caught, and, on every one of the occasions, they had
been greatly worsted. They had lost at least five

536 RIFLE ARGUMENTS NEEDED.

hundred horses, all their camp equipage, ammunition,
provisions, and most of their arms, and were indeed
almost at the mercy of the whites. Under these cir-
cumstances they should have been shown true mag-
nanimity and greatness, by forcing them into that
course which was and is for their own welfare as well
as 'the welfare of the country, and against which they
themselves so blindly contend. Say to an Indian, that
ere many years have passed by, the buffalo will all be
destroyed, and he will answer you " that the ' Great
Spirit ' rains them down in the mountain for his red
children." This is a fair example of the manner in
which most of them listen to the voice of reason. It
requires practical and active demonstrations, by means
of rifles and other weapons, to teach them that they
will not be permitted to plunder and murder at pleas-
ure. The wrong of this conduct they are as well aware
of as their white brethren. It is by rifle arguments that
their treaties become worth the value of the paper upon
which they are written.

It is a well known fact that people who live in Indian
countries prefer to have the red men at war, rather than
bound to peace by such slender ties as they are usually
called upon to take upon themselves. In the former
case, the settler knows what to expect, and is always
prepared for the worst, so far as it lies in his power ;
but, in the latter position, he is continually exposed to
the caprices of a race who are in many respects as
changeable as the very air they breathe.

In the old Mexican town of Don Fernandez de Taos,
as we have before said, resided Kit Carson. A stranger
entering this town, and especially at a little distance
from it, is reminded of a number of brick-kilns just pre-

•

KIT CARSON'S HOME AT TAGS, NEW MEXICO.

THE HOME OF KIT CARSON. 539

vious to being burnt, and all huddled together without
any regard being paid to symmetry. In order to reach
the Plaza, which is the main feature of attraction be-
longing to the town, the traveler is obliged to follow
the crooks and turns of several unattractive streets.
The home of Kit Carson faced on the west side of this
public square. It was a building only one story in
height ; but, as it extended over a considerable space
of ground, it made up in part this defect, and within,
it was surpassed by but few other houses in the coun-
try, for the degree of comfort which it furnished to its
occupants. On most any fair day, around the doors of
this house might be seen many Indians of various tribes,
who were either waiting for their companions within,
or else for the opportunity to present itself so that they
themselves could enter.

Business or no business to transact with Kit Carson,
they could not come to town without visiting " Father
Kit," and having a smoke and talk with him. Kit Qar-
son enjoyed himself in their society, for his heart and
hand had long since taught them that, irrespective of
the office which he held towards them, he was their
true friend and benefactor. Never was his patience
exhausted by their lengthy visits. He listened to their
narrations of grievances, which they laid freely before
him for his counsel, even in matters exclusively per-
sonal. Being familiar with all those things which would
in the least, touch their feelings and make them inter-
ested, he found no difficulty in entering into the spirit
of their affairs, in a manner that exactly suited their
tastes. This caused them to look upon him in the same
light as they would upon some brave and experienced
chief of their own race.

540 RECEIVED WITH MARKED RESPECT.

Kit Carson took every opportunity to warn the In-
dians against the use of intoxicating drinks, arid showed
them by his own example, that " fire water" was a dan-
gerous luxury which man does not require, and in which
he should not indulge. Notwithstanding his best ef-
forts, now and then they got under its influence. On
becoming sober, they were so ashamed of their conduct
that they would often keep clear of their agent until
they thought he had forgotten the occurrence. Kit
Carson, to a certain extent, treated Indians as a wise
father does his own children ; hence, he won their re-
spect as well as confidence, which fact gave him more
influence over them than any other man in the country
where he lived. When Kit Carson entered the various
villages of the Indians under his supervision, he was
invariably received with the most marked attention.
Having selected the warrior whose guest he intended
to be, he accompanied him to his lodge, which was
known during his stay as the "soldiers' lodge." He
gave himself no concern about his horse, saddle, bridle,
rifle, or any minor thing. The brave whom he had thus
honored, considered that he had assumed the responsi-
bility of a " soldier," and so styled himself. This mak-
ing of a " soldier," is no every day business with the
Indians. It is only when they are visited by some
great personage for whom they have the greatest re-
spect, that this ceremony is gone through with. When
thus favored, the "soldier" at once becomes the sworn
friend of the white man who occupies his lodge, and
will fight and die for him even against his own brethren.

It was the opinion of Kit Carson, that Indians should
not be allowed to come, when it pleases them, into the
settlements. Every visit which they thus make is det-

A KIND AND INDULGENT FATHER. 541

rimental to them in many ways. He thought that the
time thus spent could be better employed in hunting,
or otherwise providing for the wants of their families.
In the towns of the frontiers they do nothing but beg
and learn the vices of the white man, which, added to
their own, make them as dangerous and wicked as men
can be. In lieu thereof, he advised that mission and
agency houses should be established in their midst,
when supplies should be furnished to them in a time of
need. As matters stand now, the Indians, during a se-
vere winter,' or from some unforeseen accident, are
liable to become suddenly destitute. They are then
compelled either to starve or to make inroads upon the
property of the settlers on the frontiers. Besides his
Indian friends, Kit Carson was surrounded by a host of
Mexicans and Americans, to whom he had greatly en-
deared himself. To his children Kit Carson was a kind
and indulgent father, and to best illustrate his self-sac-
rificing attachment for them, it is only necessary to re-
late one striking incident of its proof. A few years
since, he was returning to Taos from Rayado, whither
he had been on a visit in company with his wife,
two children, and two servants (a Mexican man and
woman). The party had completed the first half of
their journey, and were jogging along over a tract of
prairie land that was of considerable extent, when sud-
denly Kit Carson discovered, far offj a band of about
forty Indians. Being so exposed he at once concluded
that he also had been seen, for while he was looking,
he thought he could see the speed of their riding ani-
mals increase. The glaring rays of the sun impeded
his view, so that he could not discern at such a dis-
tance, either from their dress or appearance, to what

542 rKOTECTIXG WIFE AND CI1ILDREN.

tribe they belonged. He was in a section of country
that was frequently visited by the marauding Caman-
ches, and, as their signs had been recently seen in the
neighborhood, he made up his mind that it was a band
of this tribe that he now saw. No time was lost; so,
dismounting from the very fleet horse he was riding,
he placed in his saddle his wife and eldest child. To
the first named he gave directions " to follow on the
trail that led to Taos, and let the bridle reins be a lit-
tle slack, so that the horse would know what was ex-
pected of him, when he would travel at the top of his
speed. He said that he intended to ride towards the
Indians and engage them at first in a parley, and then
if necessary offer them a single-handed combat. At
any rate, before they could manage to kill him, she
would have sufficient time to lessen her danger. As to
the remainder of the party, he added, there was no
alternative but for them to take their chances for life
or death." Bidding his wife and boy good-by, with one
heart-rending look, he turned to face his apparent
doom. As Kit approached the Indians, they began to
call out his name. As soon as he heard this, he aroused
himself from the agonizing frame of mind he had been
laboring under after parting with all that wras so dear
to him, and as he had thought, for the last time. To
his joy, Kit quickly recognized before him, the familiar
faces of some of his Indian friends. They had come,
as they afterwards informed him, to see him and his
helpless charge safely lodged in their home, for they
had become aware that he was exposed to great dan-
ger. While the friends were talking, some of the In-
dians began to laugh, which caused Carson to turn his
head and look in the direction they were gazing. To

A COWARDLY MEXICAN. 543

his astonishment and disgust, he saw (the truth was too
evident to be mistaken) that the cowardly Mexican
man had, on his leaving, pulled off from her horse Mrs.
Carson and her child, and having mounted the animal
himself, was making good his escape. The Indians
wished to keep up the ruse, pursue, attempt to overtake
and punish the poltroon; but Kit Carson was too thank-
ful that matters had gone so well ; therefore he said
that he felt that he could excuse such dastardly con-
duct, and requested the Indians to let it pass unnoticed.
It is hardly necessary to add that with his faithful body-
guard, who had come to watch over him from feelings
of earnest respect, gratitude and affectionate regard, the
agent accomplished the remainder of his journey in per-
fect safety.

Several years had elapsed, as the reader can easily
estimate, since Kit Carson met, while traveling home
from one of his expeditions, the Mormon delegate to
Congress who had first informed him of his appoint-
ment as Indian agent. During this length of time Kit
Carson retained this office and rendered satisfactory
service. The Indians who were under his jurisdiction
were large and powerful bands of the Apaches and
Utahs ; but, as we have said before, neighboring tribes
freely sought his counsel, aid, and protectorate power,
as they required it, and, from habit, considered that
thev had a claim on his services. To best illustrate

v

this, we have but to cite one instance, of which a
thousand similar exist. Two Indian women were taken
prisoners by the red men of the plains, from a band of
savages not under the immediate control of Kit Carson,
who inhabited a section of New Mexico. These squaws,
while captives, were subjected to the severest labor

544 PROTECTED BY KIT CARSON.

and the most brutal punishment which Indian inge-
nuity could invent. For one year they submitted
without exhibiting any outward symptoms by which
their condition could be known ; but, at the end of
that time, they resolved to escape, even if they were
killed in the attempt. Watching a favorable opportu-
nity, they started, and fortunately so well laid their
plans that, for some time, they were not missed. On
their prolonged absence being noticed, a party who
were well mounted commenced the pursuit, no doubt
believing that to recapture the runaways would be an
easy task. The squaws, however, eluded these horse-
men, and, on foot, made their way to Kit Carson's
house at Taos. By him they were hospitably received,
entertained and amply provided for. They had trav-
eled on foot for hundreds of miles, and, while en route,
had lived on roots and such other food as fell in their
way. In their reduced condition, it required kindness,
proper diet and rest to resuscitate them. In the com-
fortable house to which they had come, these things
were at hand, and were freely given, without hoping
for the rewards which man can give. The pursuers of
these unfortunate Indian women followed on their trail,
which, with native instinct, the squaws had made as
indistinct as possible, until they found themselves at a
settlement within the boundaries of New Mexico.
Here they were informed that their late captives
were safe under the protection of Kit Carson. This
name acted like magic in settling their future mode
of proceedings. They needed nothing more to bid
them face about and retrace their steps to their own
homes. The squaws, in the household of Kit Carson,
rapidly recruited, and when the time came for them to

THE EED MAN'S FRIEND. 545

be sent to their own tribe, they went away rejoicing at
their good fortune, first, in making their escape, and
second, because they had been so humanely treated by
a irian whose name they had often heard, but never
before seen. As we have said before, and with truth,
this is but one example out of thousands which have
passed by unheralded since Kit Carson first commenced
his official career as Indian agent.

The duties of an agent were not by Kit Carson con-
fined to the mere letter of the law. His was a heart
that could not be happy were he not daily doing some
equitable and humane act to ameliorate the condition
of the Indian race. The strict duties of an Indian
agent required that he should receive and disburse cer-
tain sums of money in purchasing such minor articles
as the tribes over which he was placed may require. He
had to give monthly and quarterly reports to the Gen-
eral Government and the Superintendent of the Terri-
tory he was in, of the condition, crimes, practices, hab-
its, intentions, health, and such other things as pertained
to the economy of his charge. How seldom is this
knowledge properly attained, and how often are these
things entrusted to clerks, while the principal receives
the emoluments of his office ! Of the details which
make the Indian happy or miserable, he too frequently
knows but little about, except from routine. The
agent, if he be a fit man, and the Indian is by no
means slow in forming his estimate of the person he
has to deal with, is received into the confidence of the
tribes, when, after sufficient trial, he has been proved
worthy of their esteem and friendship. When once he
has gained a foothold in the affections of the savages,
his task assumes the condition of pleasure rather than

546 DUTIES OF INDIAN AGENT.

severe labor ; but, if he is ignorant of the minute work-
ings of his business, he is generally imposed upon and
always disliked to such a degree that no honorable man
would retain such a position longer than to find out his
unpopularity and the causes of it. The Indian agent, to
perform his duties well, must be continually at his
agency house, or among the Indians, in order that he
may personally attend to their wrants and protect them
from the mercenary visits and contact of outside in-
truders, who are continually watching their opportu-
nity, like hungry wolves, to prey upon and cheat them
in every shape and form. In fine, he is to assist the
superintendent in managing the entire Indian family.

The business of Indian agent, which he strictly and
conscientiously attended to, kept Kit Carson employed
during the most of his time ; yet, as often as once each
year, he managed affairs so that he could spend a few
weeks in the exciting scenes of the chase. On these
excursions, which were eagerly looked forward to by
his friends, he was accompanied by the crack shots of
the country, including his Indian and Mexican friends.
On horseback and on open prairies, Kit Carson was in-
disputably the greatest hunter in America, if indeed he
was not the greatest hunter living. He has killed, in
the brief space of three consecutive hours, with his
rifle, twenty-two antelope, at a time wrhen the game
was so scarce, that other men who followed the business
of hunting under pay, and were no ordinary shots,
thought themselves doing well to bring down six of the
same animals.

It gave the greatest satisfaction to the people of
New Mexico that Kit Carson was, from time to time,
re-installed in his office of Indian agent, notwithstand-

WIDE-SPREAD INFLUENCE. 54 T

ing the other great changes that were heing continu-
ally made in their politics. His fitness for the position
which he held cannot be doubted, when the good al-
ready accomplished by his efforts is considered. His
influence reached far beyond his own tribes, and was
felt by the Cheyennes, Arrapahoes, and Kiowas, who
were fast becoming very chary about visiting, with
hostile intentions, the settlements of Northern New
Mexico.

648 VARIED AND VALUABLE EXPERIENCES.

OHAPTEE XVIII.

Carson not allowed to Remain Idle — His Position in our late Civil War —
He is Needed on an Important Field of Army Operations — His Love
for the Union — His Promise to Stand by the Old Flag — His Fulfill-
ment of the Promise — Is Appointed Colonel of the First New Mexico
Volunteers — His Friendship with General Canby — Lieutenant-Colonel
Pfiefer — Valuable Service against the Camanches, Arrapahoes and
Cheyennes — Overpowered and Defeated — Fearful Loss — A Brilliant
Campaign against the Navajoes — Increased Fame — The War Depart-
ment sound his Praises in Flattering Terms — Brigadier General of
Volunteers — Detailed for Responsible Duty — Appointed Peace Com-
missioner to the Sioux — A Delicate Mission — The Indian Policy of our
Government — A Reformation Movement — A Wise and Humane Policy
— Kit Carson's Opinion as to what Should be Done — His Wonderful
Success in Treating with the Savages — Beloved and Feared — The Visit
of Indian Chiefs to Washington — The Effects of Civilization — Recep-
tions and Speeches of Buffalo Good and Little Raven — The Indian
Question, and What Has Been Done, and What Must Be Done, to Se-
cure Lasting Peace — The Death of General Kit Carson, at Fort Lyon,
Colorado — His Death Hastened by the Loss of his Wife — A Man of
Striking Virtues — Kit Carson as a Free Mason — Masonic Signs among
the Indians.

FOLLOWING on the varied and valuable experiences
that Kit Carson had, in his strangely eventful career,
prior to his appointment as Indian agent, he might have
treasured the hope that he should live out the rest of
his days in peace and quiet, so far as a man with such
surroundings might expect repose. With him rest
would not be the absolute calm that one might have in
a settled, law-abiding community. Indeed, to him, that
kind of repose would be the most tiresome of all ex-

CLAIMED BY BOTH SIDES.

perience ; for men of his mould — of his tireless energy
and constant exercise of body and mind — there must
be something to demand constant watchfulness, as a
necessary stimulus, or life becomes a weary drag, and
has no attractions. But Carson could reasonably have
expected a comparative season of rest. He might have
ended his life of great deeds at this very point, and
have more than filled a mission of heroic work. This,
however, he wras not permitted to do. His ripe knowl-
edge of the country in which he had won his proud-
est distinction, and his thorough judgment, amounting
to an intuitive perception, of the habits and character
of all tribes and people, made him an available man,
above all others, in the overshadowing crisis of national
affairs which plunged the nation into civil war, for cer-
tain specified work on an important field of army op-
erations. Early in the war he was claimed by both
sides — the North and South — as a friendly ally, and his
position was a matter of consequence, as much as if he
had been a general in the field ; but, while his position
was disputed, there was never the slightest doubt con-
cerning his convictions or his purposes, from the very
start, among those who knew well his character. He
loved the Union, and no temptation could have diverted
that love.

The author left New Mexico in the fall of 1856, hav-
ing resigned his position in the army, and proceeded to
Europe to perfect his studies. In 1860 he returned,
and re-entered the service of the Government as an
army officer. Kit Carson was then holding the place
of Indian agent of the Utahs and Apaches at Taos,
New Mexico, and was devoting himself wholly to civil
pursuits. As the author was soon after taken a pris-

32

550 TRUE TO THE OLD FLAG.

oner in Texas, he did not see Carson, as he had hoped
and expected, but subsequently held a correspondence
•with him, at the time the rebellion broke out, and re-
ceived from him very positive and patriotic assurances
that he should steadfastly remain loyal to the Union
and to the flag — a promise that he admirably fulfilled.

He was early in the war appointed Colonel of the
First Regiment New Mexico Volunteers, under the
command of Brigadier General Canby, whose subse-
quent tragic death, after braving all the perils of the
great conflict between the North and South, will be
alluded to in a subsequent chapter. Carson had no
trustier friend than Canby.

The regiment which Kit Carson commanded was a
fine body of men who were accustomed to hardships
and could endure much without complaint. His
Lieutenant-Colonel's name was Pfiefer, and he was a
valuable man to have for an associate in the prosecu-
tion of the brave work to be done. Pfiefer was a
mountaineer of the bravest sort, who had suffered deeply
by the slaughter of his wife and children and the burn-
ing of his ranch, and, though cool in the hour of dan«
ger, he was reckless of his own life. He was a good
companion for one who never knew fear.

Carson's first action in the war was under Canby at
Val Verde, in an engagement against an invading force
of Texans, when he was greatly distinguished for per-
sonal bravery. After this battle his regiment was em-
ployed almost exclusively against confederate Texans
under General Sibley, who was a West Point graduate,
and of excellent standing in the United States Army be-
fore his desertion, and was widely known as the invent-
or of the Sibley tent, which all soldiers in the late war

MAGNIFICENT OPERATION. 553

are familiar with. Portions of the regiment were,
at times, detailed as guides and spies in the southern
part of New Mexico. After the defeat of the Texans in
Apache Pass, near Santa Fe, Carson and his command
were detached on Indian duty under Colonel Carlton,
who was subsequently made a Brigadier General. On
this duty valuable service was performed against the
Camanches, Arrapahoes and Cheyennes ; but at Stone
Wall, near the Red River, Carson met his match, being
overpowered and badly defeated. There was a fearful
loss on both sides.

But this repulse was very soon supplemented with a
victory of the greatest magnificence. The Navajo In-
dians were very troublesome. For a whole decade they
had defied the Government, and now, enlisted as savage
cohorts of the rebels, they were especially dangerous.
They numbered several thousand warriors, and roamed
over an immense tract of country. General Carlton se-
lected Carson to command two thousand picked men,
consisting of Californians, Mexicans, and Mountaineers,
to operate against these Indians. The campaign was a
most brilliant one. After a succession of skirmishes,
Carson succeeded in getting the enemy into a bed or
ravine, and had his own forces so disposed as to com-
mand every approach, and in doing this compelled
the surrender of ten thousand Indians, being the larg-
est single capture of Indians ever known. The entire
tribe, men, women and children, was disposed of by
this magnificent operation. This greatly increased the
fame of the mountain leader, and the official reports to
the war department very justly sounded his praises in
flattering terms, but none too extravagantly. For this
great service nnd gallantry displayed elsewhere, he was

554 BRIGADIER GENERAL OF VOLUNTEERS.

breveted with the rank of Brigadier General of Volun-
teers, and entirely without any solicitation. The cap-
tured Indians were afterwards sent to a reservation on
one of the tributaries of the Arkansas River, and later,
following General Sherman's Indian negotiations, they
were sent by their own request to their original grounds
in the Navajo country, where they have since remained
in a well-behaved condition. They are peaceful, and are
gradually becoming accustomed to the more advanced
wa}Ts of civilization. They are measurably indus-
trious, and to a considerable extent are self-supporting.
During the remainder of the war, General Carson was on
different details of responsible work, mainly courts mar-
tial and matters relating to the Indians, and in one of
which he made himself useful to the Government. The
war history of affairs in New Mexico, during this period,
as contained in official reports, will show that his services
were fully recognized by the department whose inter-
ests he served. He was retained in his rank and posi-
tion at the close of the war, long after nearly all the
volunteer officers had been mustered out, and was then
made a peace commissioner to visit the Sioux and other
tribes, his long experience, honesty, and loyalty to the
Government qualifying him in all respects for the re-
sponsibilities of such a delicate mission.

The settlement of the trouble with the Sioux Indians,
which was assigned to General Carson, was a matter of
great consequence, more, indeed, than appeared upon
the surface of things at the time. Hostilities had
grown out of bad faith in the first place, and a bloody
war, attended with frightful massacres, followed, in-
volving a cost of millions of dollars to the Government.
Indian wars have always been costly; they are con-

AN APPEAL FOR THE RED MEN. 555

ducted by the Government at fearful odds. In the
Seminole war, there were only 1,910 warriors in the
field, and they, roaming over 47,000 square miles of
territory, compelled the United States to equip 20,000
troops, and pay $20,000,000 to militia and volunteers,
exclusive of what was paid to regulars.

One careful observer in the Sioux war, who was act-
ively engaged in the expedition conducted by the Gov-
ernment, offered the following pertinent suggestion :
"Justice and humanity require that, as we have de-
prived the Indian of his occupation of hunting and the
indulgence of the wild habits of centuries, we should
make a genuine attempt to have him adapt himself to
his altered condition. Such an attempt has never yet
been made, although the treaties contemplated it, and
the officials pretend it has been done. A proper code
of laws and policy, having in view this end, should be
adopted.",

It was this Sioux war which, to a great degree,
opened the eyes of the nation to much of the injustice
of the old policy of Indian management, and enlisted a
wide-spread movement in behalf of something better.
Bishop Whipple, of Minnesota, sent out a stirring "Ap-
peal for the Red Man," in which, making the massa-
cres in his own State the text of his commentaries, he
said :

" There is not a man in America, who ever gave an
hour's calm reflection to this subject, who does not
know that our Indian system is an organized system of
robbery, and has been for years a disgrace to the
nation. It has left savage men without governmental
control ; it has looked on unconcerned at every crime
against the law of God and man ; it has fostered sav*

556 BISHOP WHIPPLE'S MANIFESTO.

age life by wasting thousands of dollars in the purchase
of paint, beads, scalping-knives and tomahawks ; it has
fostered a system of trade which robbed the thrifty and
virtuous to pay the debts of the indolent and viciouo;
it has squandered the funds for civilization and schools;
it has connived at theft ; it has winked at murder ; and
at last, after dragging the savage down to a brutishnes.1*
unknown to his fathers, it has brought a harvest of
blood to our own door."

This was but a part of his earnest arraignment of the
nation for its shortcomings in the treatment of its way-
faring children. His manifesto, as a whole, had a
powerful effect upon the country. Acting under his
lead, all the Episcopal bishops of the Northern States,
with many of the first clergy and laity, united in a pe-
tition to the President of the United States, in which his
attention was solicited to the following suggestions :

"First — That it is impolitic for our Government to
treat a heathen community, living in our borders, as
an independent nation, but that they ought to be re-
garded as our wards.

" Second — That it is dangerous to ourselves and to
them, to leave these Indian tribes without a govern-
ment, not subject to our own laws, and when every
corrupt influence of the border would inevitably foster
a spirit of revenge leading to murder and war.

" Third — That the solemn responsibility of the care
of a heathen race requires that the agents and servants
of the Government who have them in charge, shall be
men of eminent fitness, and in no case should such
offices be regarded as a reward for political service.

"Fourth — That every feeling of honor and of jus-
tice demands that the Indian funds which we hold for

A REFORMATORY MOVEMENT. 557

them as a trust, shall be carefully expended under some
well devised system which will encourage their efforts
towards civilization.

" Fifth — That the present system of Indian trade is
mischievous and demoralizing, and ought to be so
amended as to protect the Indian and wholly to prevent
the possibility of the sale of the patrimony of the tribe
to satisfy individual debts.

" Sixth — That it is believed that the history of our
dealings with the Indians has been marked by gross
acts of injustice and robbery, such as could not be pre-
vented under the present system of management, and
that these wrongs have often proved the prolific cause
of war and bloodshed."

The petition closed in the following words :

" We feel that these results cannot be secured with-
out much careful thought, and, therefore, request you
to take such steps as may be necessary to appoint a
commission of men of high character, who have no po-
litical ends to subserve, to whom may be referred this
whole question, in order that they may devise a more
perfect system for the administration of Indian affairs,
which shall redress these wrongs, preserve the honor
of the Government, and call down upon us the bless-
ings of God."

It was from this beginning of a reformatory move-
ment, that a complete change in the Indian policy of
the Government was brought about. The commission
asked for originally was appointed during President
Grant's first term of office, and it was he who began
the experiment of new measures to secure the best in-
terest of the Indians. The plan adopted in the selec-
tion of the commission, was to have it composed of

558 THE ONLY TRUE REMEDY.

leading representatives of religious denominations, and
men of high character were chosen. The policy from
the start was to get the Indians upon reservations, and
that, to a very general extent, has succeeded, and, so
far as accomplished, has worked admirably, though with
occasional disadvantages, as might be expected from
the inauguration of so extensive a movement. On the
whole, the policy of the Government is accepted by the
country as eminently wise, humane and just.

This accomplishment recalls the opinion expressed
by Kit Carson, as given in a previous chapter, that the
question would never be settled so long as the Indians
were permitted to run at large. u The only true rem-
edy," he said, " for this great evil, is to compel the sav-
ages to form settlements by themselves ; then and there
assist and teach them to cultivate the soil; in time,
they will be able to gain a maintenance independent
of the General Government, and, to a certain extent,
they will become responsible for their acts." Substan-
tially we have seen these views of the distinguished
mountaineer and soldier, derived from his owrn practi-
cal experiences, incorporated into the settled policy of
the Government, and both directly and indirectly, no
doubt, he himself very considerably contributed to the
attainment of that result.

The effect of this policy has been no less marked
upon the tribes which were directly within General
Carson's jurisdiction as Indian agent, than upon others
less savage in many respects, and could he have sur-
vived to witness the practical results of the reservation
plan and its attending peaceful regulations, it would
unquestionably have afforded him great satisfaction.

The most powerful band which was under his direc-

VISITING CHIEFS. 559

tion was the Apaches, though his operations extended
to the Cheyennes, the Arrapahoes, and the Kiowas.
The chiefs of these tribes visited the Eastern States in
the summer of 1871, going to Washington, where they
had an interview with the President, and also proceed-
ing to other cities. The kind treatment they received
everywhere made so favorable an impression upon their
minds, that on their return to the Indian country they
not only refused to join a warlike tribe which had be-
come incensed at the arrest of two chiefs, but were the
means of preventing a bloody war.

While in New York, they were given a reception
at Cooper Union, and a very intelligent audience as-
sembled. The Indians were dressed partly in their
native style, wearing moccasins and ear-rings, and
having their long black hair braided. One wore a
gaudy red robe. Of Arrapahoe chiefs there were
Little Raven, Powder Face, and Bird Chief; of Chey-
ennes, Little Robe and Stone Calf; and of the Wich-
itas, Buffalo Good. Their prevailing style of face
was that usually seen in the warlike Sioux race ; that
is, a coarse, broad lower face, Hebrew nose, and re-
treating forehead.

In Boston there was another reception. Buffalo
Good, the ablest man in the delegation, and a natural
orator of considerable power, made a characteristic

speech, the translation of which is as follows :

Bancroft LiV>r»

"GENTLEMEN : Washington (President Grant) invited
me and these other chiefs to go to his big house in
Washington City, to have a talk with him. I thought
I was going to have a straight story, that my heart
would be made glad by what I was to hear. But I

560 SPEECH OF BUFFALO GOOD.

have been disappointed, and I think Washington is
not so much of a chief after all. [Laughter.] God
gave this country to the Indians. He gave the white
man a country across the waters. When he gave
this country to the Indian, he gave them the bow and
the arrow and the land, and he was able to hold his
own until the white man came over here. He gave
the white man paper and a great deal more knowledge
than- he gave the Indians. Then they came to this
country ; but the Wichitas never fought them, but
took them by the hand and treated them kindly.
When I left home, it was to see Washington, for I
thought he was all the great chief in this country.
But my friends told me that there were a great many
chiefs, and that I should find some here ; that is why I
come here to-night — I didn't intend to come. But I
am glad to see you. God told the Indians that some
day the white men would come here. But we did not
think they would treat us so unkindly and try to drive
us from our lands. The bones of my fathers lie in
every hill and valley of my country, and I don't want
to be turned out from that country, for I love it very
much. Nearly thirty years ago Washington gave me
and my people a good chief, who tried to put us on
the white man's road. We think he meant all that he
said. We wanted to go on the white man's road very
much. I and my brother represent five different tribes,
who have always been friendly, and who wanted to be
friendly to the wrhites. But because we do not fight,
Washington takes away our lands and gives them to
the tribes that are fighting them all the time. My
people are grieved at this, and when I left home they
told me to preach hard and get some satisfaction in

THE RED MAN'S GRIEVANCES. 561

regard to our country ; but, when I return, it will be-
with my hands before my eyes and my head cast down,
for I can tell them nothing new. They knew it all be-
fore I left. I, too, am getting along in years. I can't
live forever, but I would like to see churches and
school-houses built in my land, and would like to see
my children educated before I die. [Applause.] For
the white men have driven the buffalo off, and now we
have got to live like white men, and so I want my
white brothers to help me. Since I have been here I
have heard a great deal about the people in this town.
They help everybody else ; they send their mission-
aries all abroad; but I ask you why you won't assist
me and my people ? [Applause.] I am glad I have
met you all. You are all my friends — my brothers. I
have taken fast hold of you with my hand, and I am
not going to let go. Some of the tribes are living well.
They ought to, for the white men have stolen our lands,
(we who have never hunted the whites,) and have given
them to them, and they are learning them to grow up
like white people. If they would give us our lands, we
would learn to do the same thing. When I got to
Washington, they said they knew all about my people.
If they did know it, why didn't they help us, and fix
it? But I am very glad I came on. One thing I
wanted to speak about; I had nearly forgotten it. We
settled in Texas, but the Texans drove us out.; they
wanted the country, for it was a very fine one. They
stole our cattle and our pigs ; they broke down our
fences and obliged us to move. The Government told
us we should be made all right, but it hasn't been done
yet, and I want to know to-night why it hasn't ? Then
we went to Kansas, and when we got there some friends

562 LITTLE RAYEN TALKS.

said we would whip the Texans all out, and then Gov-
ernment would appreciate our services. But the war
broke out, and the soldiers who were going to help
whip the Texans were called away. I reckon you
know those people in Texas ; they are a mighty hard
people down there. [Laughter.] We have got a very
good agent down in our country now, and if Washing-
ton does not help that agent to help us, I would like to
have you help him, for we don't want to lose him. I
wonder why your Government has not done something
for the Wichitas and those other Indians that have
done all that was wanted of them. They help the
others, who are fighting them all the time, but it is no
use doing anything for them. That is what I think.
When I go home I want to, and I shall, carry home a
big talk with me, to tell all my brothers down there. I
shall remember it all ; I shan't forget a word of it on
the way. This is all I have got to say to you. I am
sorry that I can't talk English, or you can't talk in
Wichita, for if you did I would have a great deal more
to say to you." [Applause.]

Little Raven made the following speech :

" MY FRIENDS : These big chiefs on the left and right
have invited me into this big council-house and invited
us to linear what you have got to say. This is a good
house, and this is just the kind of a house to have a
good talk in. [Laughter.] Some years ago General
Sheridan met my tribe in the Wichita Mountains and
told us that he did not want the Arrapahoes to fight
any more. It was a good talk, and I listened to what
the General told me. I have kept that talk ever

WANTED TO BE LET ALONE. 563

since, and have never fought with the white man. I
want you to look upon these men around me ; they
do not look so strong as they really are, but they are not
to be despised, even if they are Indians. [Laughter
and applause.] The Great Father invited me and these
other chiefs to come to Washington to see him, and he
made just such a talk as Sheridan did, in a nice talking
place. It was a good talk. It was just the kind of
talk I wanted to hear, and I was glad I did hear it.
Then I and my friends went to Philadelphia and to
New York, and we had just such a good talk there. I
told them that I wanted to have peace with the white
man ; and that I only wanted to be let alone. I was
glad to see this, and my heart was glad to hear this.
I was told that I had some friends at the North that I
had never heard of, nor seen before, and I found a great
many chiefs here ; some of them have been showing
me through the city. The women, the children, boys
and girls, are glad to see me, and my heart is big, and
I am glad to meet them. [Applause.] My people,
the Arrapahoes, the braves, and the women, are all
anxiously looking for my return. My friends are wait-
ing for me ; they are now looking for me, and I am
glad I have got so good a talk to carry back to them
as I have received here. When I sleep at night I sleep
with all this talk in my heart, and when I wake up I
find it still there, and I am going to take every word
of it home with me. [Applause.] I believe God is
going to pity the Indians. He has shown us a good
many friends here, and there is not one that has said
anything or done anything wrong to my party. I am
very glad of that, for if anything should happen to any
member of my party, my people would feel very bad

564 CHEYENXES AND ARRAPAHOES.

on my return. Once the Arrapahoes had a fine coun-
try in the West, (Colorado,) but the white man has
driven us from there. I hope some day the white man
will do justice to the Arrapahoes. There are a great
many chiefs listening to what I say to-night, and I want
to say that I only ask for justice. I am growing old,
and I may die, but my children will live, and I hope
justice will be done to my children if not to myself.
God gave this country to the Indian, and God sent the
white man here, but I don't think God sent the white
man to do injustice to the Indian always. [Applause.]
When I get home I shall talk to my young men, to any
of them that are disposed to do wrong, and tell them to
hold on and to behave themselves. I think my white
brethren I have seen here, have made a great talk and
that they mean what they say. [Applause.] That is
all I have to say."

The latest official reports on file in the Department
of the Interior say that " the Cheyennes and Arrapahoes
are generally contented upon their new reservation.
The schools are gaining their confidence, and their con-
dition has sufficiently improved during the last year to
warrant the expectation of a satisfactory advancement
in the future."

The special attention of Government was directed to
the situation of the Apaches of New Mexico, tlu-ir
eager desire for peace, their starving condition, and the
opinion of agents and army officers that with means to
feed and clothe them, they could be kept at peace.
Congress finally made an appropriation of seventy
thousand dollars, and the board of commissioners at
once directed its secretary to proceed to New Mexico

SOLVING THE INDIAN PROBLEM. 565

and Arizona to make arrangements to bring the roving
Apaches upon suitable reservations, and to feed, clothe,
and otherwise care for them. The hearty approval of
the President was obtained to its course. The offers
of peace by the secretary were received by the Apaches
with great eagerness, and several thousands of them
immediately took possession of the reservations pro-
vided for them.

The importance of these results, which are now but
partially fulfilled, can only be measured by time. Cer-
tainly the humane policy has thus far worked with as
much success as might reasonably have been expected
by its most strenuous advocates. Peace itself is not alto-
gether secured by voluntary acts in any condition of life ;
and if hitherto unrestrained tribes of Indians are made
the happy subjects of peaceful treatment, there must nee.
essarily be, in some cases, compulsion to begin with, if
persuasion fails. All society is built to its highest aims,
through the arbitrary operation of law. Even men, as
individuals, can restrain themselves only by the exercise
of controlling powers. So that in following out the In-
dian policy, which looks to the location of tribes upon
suitable reservations, it is no argument against the pol-
icy to say that the Indians themselves are forced to
settlements not of their favorite choice, and that there-
fore, the Government, while proposing peace, is forcing
resistance. It should be remembered that Government,
in doing this, seeks no more and no less than the prosper-
ity of the country, as it does in all its legislative work,
and that what may seem objectionable to certain classes
and conditions is, after all, the true course to secure the
general public welfare in the largest possible measure.
In this whole matter of solving the Indian problem, at

566 DEATH OF GENERAL CARSON.

once a difficult and dangerous one, everything has been
done in the light of the fullest experience, no mean
share of which was gathered through weary years of
hardships and toil by such courageous men as Kit Car-
son, who himself, long before the petition of Bishop
Whipple was thought of, and before the Sioux massacre
had startled public attention, gave it as the positive
conviction of his mind that the true remedy for the
prevention of the impoverishment of our territories
was " to compel the savages to form settlements by
themselves."

It was on General Carson's return from the mission
with the Sioux, and while he was yet holding the office
of Indian agent, that he suddenly died at Fort Lynn,
Colorado. This was on the 23d of May, 1868. While in
the army he suffered a serious fall by his horse going
over a precipice, and this led to the enlargement of an
artery near the heart, which suddenly ruptured. His
health had not been the best for several months.
Within a short period his wife had died, and that had a
visible effect upon hirn, breaking down to a great de-
gree his strong constitution and subjecting him to ner-
vous prostration. He was devoted to his wrife, and her
going no doubt hastened his departure.

General Carson was a man of singularly striking vir-
tues, for one who led such a rough kind of life. His
gentleness of heart was shown in his love for his
friends, and in his domestic inclinations, for over and
above all desire for adventure, he loved home. He
never drank liquor, and in this abstinence, so uncom-
mon in border life, is one of his characteristic virtues —
a virtue certainly that is remarkably exceptional under
all the circumstances.

BELOVED BY ALL.' 567

He was a great Free Mason, and dearly loved the or-
der. He frequently told the author that he recognized
among the Indians masonic signs. He was buried at
Fort Lynn, where he died, but with the expectation
that the Fraternity some day would take his remains
to the masonic grounds at Santa Fe, New Mexico.

General Carson had abundant opportunities to acquire
wealth, even great wealth ; but he seemed to care little
for fortune beyond that of an honest name. His habits
were simple, and he therefore craved no more than he
had ; he was too scrupulous to seek wealth by taking
advantage of anybody ; he was too liberal, if he had
earned much money, to have hoarded it. To every
man who seemed honest and worthy he was a friend,
and displayed his friendship in practical ways. He
died comparatively poor, beloved by all who knew
him.

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