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diff --git a/16274-h/16274-h.htm b/16274-h/16274-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..f6bde86 --- /dev/null +++ b/16274-h/16274-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,18474 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"> +<html> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1" /> +<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Life and Adventures of Kit Carson, the Nestor of the Rocky Mountains, from Facts Narrated by Himself, by De Witt C. Peters</title> + <style type="text/css"> + <!-- + body {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + p {text-align: justify;} + blockquote {text-align: justify;} + h1,h2,h3,h4 {text-align: center;} + h5,h6 {text-align: left;} + pre {font-size: 0.7em;} + .sc {font-variant: small-caps;} + + hr {text-align: center; width: 50%;} + html>body hr {margin-right: 25%; margin-left: 25%; width: 50%;} + hr.full {width: 100%;} + html>body hr.full {margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 0%; width: 100%;} + hr.short {text-align: center; width: 20%;} + html>body hr.short {margin-right: 40%; margin-left: 40%; width: 20%;} + + .note + {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em;} + + span.pagenum + {position: absolute; left: 1%; right: 91%; font-size: 8pt; text-indent: 0;} + + .poem + {margin-left:10%; margin-right:10%; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: left;} + .poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;} + .poem p {margin: 0; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem p.i2 {margin-left: 1em;} + .poem p.i4 {margin-left: 2em;} + .poem p.i6 {margin-left: 3em;} + .poem p.i8 {margin-left: 4em;} + .poem p.i10 {margin-left: 5em;} + + .figure, .figcenter + {padding: 1em; margin: 0; text-align: center; font-size: 0.8em;} + .figure img, .figcenter img + {border: none;} + .figure p, .figcenter p + {margin: 0; text-indent: 1em;} + .figcenter {margin: auto;} + + .footnote {font-size: 0.9em; margin-right: 10%; margin-left: 10%;} + + p.author {text-align: right; margin-right:10%;} + --> + </style> +</head> +<body> +<h1>The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Life and Adventures of Kit Carson, the +Nestor of the Rocky Mountains, from Facts Narrated by Himself, by De Witt +C. Peters</h1> +<pre> +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at <a href = "https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a></pre> +<p>Title: The Life and Adventures of Kit Carson, the Nestor of the Rocky Mountains, from Facts Narrated by Himself</p> +<p>Author: De Witt C. Peters</p> +<p>Release Date: July 12, 2005 [eBook #16274]</p> +<p>Language: English</p> +<p>Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1</p> +<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF KIT CARSON, THE NESTOR OF THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS, FROM FACTS NARRATED BY HIMSELF***</p> +<p> </p> +<h3>E-text prepared by Alicia Williams, William Flis,<br /> + and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team<br /> + (https://www.pgdp.net)</h3> +<p> </p> +<hr class="full" /> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h4>THE</h4> + +<h2>LIFE AND ADVENTURES</h2> + +<h4>OF</h4> + +<h1>KIT CARSON,</h1> + +<h4>THE</h4> + +<h2>NESTOR OF THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS,</h2> + +<h4>FROM FACTS NARRATED BY HIMSELF.</h4> + +<h3>BY DE WITT C. PETERS, M.D.,</h3> + +<h4>LATE ASSISTANT SURGEON U.S.A.</h4> + +<h4>WITH ORIGINAL ILLUSTRATIONS,</h4> + +<h4>DRAWN BY LUMLEY, ENGRAVED BY N. ORR & CO.</h4> + +<center>"All are but parts of one stupendous whole,<br /> +Whose body nature is, and God the soul."</center> +<br /> +<center>NEW YORK:</center> + +<h4>W.R.C. CLARK & CO.,</h4> + +<center>348 BROADWAY.</center> + +<center>MDCCCLVIII.</center> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<hr /> + + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>W.H. TINSON, STEREOTYPER AND PRINTER,</p> +<p>Rear of 43 & 45 Centre Street, N.Y.</p> + </div> </div> + +<hr /> +<p> </p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width:80%;"><a href="images/frontispiece.jpg"><img width="100%" src="images/frontispiece.jpg" alt="KIT AND HIS FAVORITE HORSE 'APACHE.'" /></a>KIT AND HIS FAVORITE HORSE "APACHE."</div> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page1" id="page1"></a>[pg 1]</span> + +<h4>TO</h4> + +<h3>COL. CERAN ST. VRAIN,</h3> + +<h4>OF NEW MEXICO.</h4> + + +<p><span class="sc">Dear Sir</span>,</p> + +<p>You were first among the brave mountaineers to discover and direct the +manly energy, extraordinary natural ability, and unyielding courage which have +attached to the subject of this volume; and, as among the first Americans who put +foot on the Rocky Mountains, you are perhaps best acquainted with the history of +the men, who, for fifty years, have lived there. <span class="sc">Christopher Carson</span>, after a long +life, now crowned with successful and honorable achievements, still looks upon you, +sir, as his earliest patron, and places your name on the list of his warmest friends. +Through a life of unusual activity and duration, which, reflecting honor and +renown upon your name, has given you a distinguished position among your countrymen, +you have never been known to forget a duty to your fellow man.</p> + +<p>For these considerations, the dedication of this volume to you cannot but +appear appropriate. That he may continue to merit a place in your confidence and +esteem is the earnest desire of</p> + +<p class="author">THE AUTHOR.</p> + +<hr /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page2" id="page2"></a>[pg 2]</span> + + + + +<p class="author"><span class="sc">Fernandez de Taos, New Mexico.</span></p> + +<p><span class="sc">Sir</span>:</p> + +<p>We, the undersigned citizens of the Territory of New Mexico, have been +acquainted with Mr. <span class="sc">Christopher Carson</span> for a number of years, indeed almost +from the time of his first arrival in the country. We have been his companions +both in the mountains and as a private citizen. We are also acquainted with the +fact that for the past few months, during his leisure hours, he has been engaged +dictating his life. This is, to our certain knowledge, the only authentic biography +of himself and his travels that has ever been written. We heartily recommend +THIS BOOK to the reading community for perusal, as it presents a life out of the +usual routine of business, and is checkered with adventures which have tried this +bold and daring man. We are cognizant of most of the details of the book, and +vouch for their accuracy.</p> + +<center>Very respectfully,</center> + +<p class="author">CERAN ST. VRAIN,<br /> +LIEUT. COL. N.M. VOLUNTEERS.</p> + +<p class="author">CHARLES BEAUBIEN,<br /> +LATE CIRCUIT JUDGE.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page3" id="page3"></a>[pg 3]</span> + + + + +<h2>THE AUTHOR'S PREFACE.</h2> + + +<p>The pages here presented to the public form a book +of facts. They unfold for the student, as does no other +work yet extant, the great interior wilderness of the territories +belonging 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 public. In addition to this, +the reader is introduced to an intimate acquaintance with +the Indian races of the countries which He east and west +of the Rocky Mountains. The savage warrior and +hunter is presented, stripped of all the decorations with +which writers of fiction have dressed him. He is seen in +his ferocity and gentleness, in his rascality and nobility, +in his boyhood, manhood, and old age, and in his wisdom +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 following +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 the white men traveling +across the prairies, and trace him in his savage wars with +the early settlers and frontiersmen.</p> + +<p>In order to acquire these important <i>data</i> that they +might be added to the pages of American history and +form a reliable record, it was necessary that some brave, +bold and determined man should become an actor on the +scenes and among the races described. Such an actor has +been, and yet is, Christopher Carson, the Nestor of the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page4" id="page4"></a>[pg 4]</span> +Rocky Mountains; and, it is the experience, as well as +the acts, of his stirring life, which the following pages present.</p> + +<p>In olden times there existed, in the Rocky Mountains, +a race familiarly known by the name of "Trappers and +Hunters." They are now almost extinct. Their history +has not yet been written. Pen paintings, drawn from the +imagination, founded upon distant views of their exploits +and adventures, 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," stands +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 +over two thousand buffalo, between four and five thousand +deer, antelope and elk, besides wild game, such as +bears, wild turkeys, prairie chickens, etc., etc. in numbers +beyond calculation. On account of their originality, +daring and interest, the real facts, concerning this race +of trappers and hunters, will be handed down to posterity +as matters belonging to history.</p> + +<p>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 encroaching upon their wild haunts and bringing +the day close at hand when warrior and trapper will +depart forever to their "Happy Hunting Grounds."</p> + +<p>With the extinction of the great fur companies, the +trappers of "Olden Time" disbanded and separated.</p> + +<p>The greatest number of these men, to be found at the +present day, reside in the Territory of New Mexico; +which, in the time of their prosperity, was the country +where they located their head quarters. In this Territory, +Christopher Carson now resides. His name, in the +Rocky Mountains, has been familiarly known for more +than a quarter of a century; and, from its association +with the names of great explorers and military men, is +now spread throughout the civilized world. It has been +generally conceded, and the concession has become +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page5" id="page5"></a>[pg 5]</span> +strengthened by time, that no small share of the benefits +derived from these explorations and campaigns, as well +as the safety of the commands themselves, was and is +due to the sagacity, skill, experience, advice and labor +of Christopher Carson. The exploring parties, and expeditions +here referred to, are those which he accompanied +in the capacity of chief guide and adviser.</p> + +<p>His sober habits, strict honor, and great regard for +truth, have endeared him to all who can call him friend; +and, among such may be enumerated names belonging to +some of the most distinguished men whose deeds are recorded +on the pages of American history. His past life +has been 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 is very reserved in +his intercourse with others. This fact, alone, will account +for the difficulty which has hitherto attended presenting +the public with an accurate history of his life.</p> + +<p>A few years since, the writer of this work first met +Christopher Carson. It needed neither a second introduction, +nor the assistance of a friendly panegyric, to enable +him to discover 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. +Since then, the writer has been the intimate friend and, +companion of Christopher 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, thousands, the +writer has 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 then placed in the writer's hands, with instructions +to add to them such information as had fallen under his +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page6" id="page6"></a>[pg 6]</span> +observation, during quite extensive travels over a large +part of the wide expanse of country, which has been +Christopher Carson's theatre for action.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>Christopher Carson, physically, is small in stature, but +of compact frame-work. He has a large and finely developed +head, a twinkling grey eye, and hair of a sandy +color, which he wears combed back <i>à la Franklin mode</i>. +His education having been much neglected in his youth, +he is deficient in theoretical learning. By natural abilities, +however, he has greatly compensated for this defect. +He speaks the French and Spanish languages fluently, +besides being a perfect master of several Indian dialects. +In Indian customs, their manners, habits and the groundwork +of their conduct, no man on the American continent is better skilled.</p> + +<p>The writer, while on a foreign tour, once had the opportunity +and pleasure of hearing Gordon Cumming and +other hunters of less note, discourse on their hunting exploits; +furthermore, 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 does Christopher Carson, a man +who acts and never boasts.</p> + +<p>Without further comment, the reader is presented with +the work, while the writer cherishes the hope, that the +facts, which for the first time are given to the world, will +prove to be both interesting and important as jottings of history.</p> + +<p>The author begs leave to return to his friend, <span class="sc">C. Hatch +Smith</span>, A.M., of Brooklyn, New York, his acknowledgment +for valuable assistance in revising, correcting and +arranging his manuscript.</p> + +<p>196 Twenty-third street, New York.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page7" id="page7"></a>[pg 7]</span> + + + + +<h2>CONTENTS.</h2> + + +<h3>CHAPTER I.</h3> + +<table summary="Chapter I" align="center"> +<tr><td align="left">Carson'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—Broaders is Wounded—Carson's Nerve put to the Test—Rude +Amputation—Safe Arrival at Santa Fé—Goes to Taos and learns the Spanish +Language—Early Vicissitudes—Disappointment and Attempt to return to Missouri—Is +employed as an Interpreter, Teamster, etc., </td> +<td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page13">13</a></td></tr> +</table> + + +<h3>CHAPTER II.</h3> + +<table summary="Chapter II" align="center"> +<tr><td align="left">The news of the Defeat of Mr. Young's Trapping Party by the Indians reaches +Taos—Young raises a Party to chastise the Indians—Kit Carson 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 Trappers +engage with the Indians in a Battle—Return to the Camp with recovered Property, </td> +<td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page30">30</a></td></tr> +</table> + + +<h3>CHAPTER III.</h3> + +<table summary="Chapter III" align="center"> +<tr><td align="left">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—Arrival +at Santa Fé 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page8" id="page8"></a>[pg 8]</span> +Arkansas—Another Expedition—Two Deserters—Kit Carson sent in Pursuit—The Fate +of the Runaways—Adventures with Indians—Hair-breadth Escape made by Kit +Carson, </td> +<td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page42">42</a></td></tr> +</table> + + +<h3>CHAPTER IV.</h3> + +<table summary="Chapter IV" align="center"> +<tr><td align="left">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 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—Annoyances 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 +Braggadocio—Kit Carson Fights a Duel and Wounds his man—Duels in the +Rocky Mountains in Olden Times,</td> +<td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page68">68</a></td></tr> +</table> + + +<h3>CHAPTER V.</h3> + +<table summary="Chapter V" align="center"> +<tr><td align="left">The Fall Hunt—McCoy of the Hudson's Bay Company organizes a Trapping Party +which Kit Carson joins—The Hunt—Scarcity of Beaver on Humboldt River—The +Party is divided—Kit Carson with a majority of the Men goes to Fort Hall—Hardships +and Privations met with—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—Danger of their goring to death the Horses—The +Spring Hunt—The Blackfeet Indian Village overtaken—A desperate Fight +with these Indians—The Rendezvous—Sir William Stuart and a favorite Missionary—Kit +Carson goes on a Trading Expedition to the Navajoe Indians—The Return—He +accepts the post of Hunter of the Trading Post at Brown's Hole,</td> +<td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page106">106</a></td></tr> +</table> + + +<h3>CHAPTER VI.</h3> + +<table summary="Chapter VI" align="center"> +<tr><td align="left">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 fight +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 Country—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,</td> +<td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page127">127</a></td></tr> +</table> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page9" id="page9"></a>[pg 9]</span> + + +<h3>CHAPTER VII.</h3> + +<table summary="Chapter VII" align="center"> +<tr><td align="left">Kit Carson is employed as Hunter to Bent's Fort—His Career for Eight Years—Messrs. +Bent and St. Vrain—The commencement of his Acquaintance with John +C. Fremont on a Steamboat—Is employed as a Guide by the Great Explorer—The +Journey—Arrival at Fort Laramie—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 carries a Letter for them to Santa Fé—Indians +on the Route—His safe Arrival—Amijos' advance Guard massacred by +the Texians—The one Survivor—The Retreat—Kit Carson returns to Bent's +Fort—His Adventures with the Utahs and narrow escape from Death—The Texians +disarmed—The Express Ride performed, </td> +<td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page147">147</a></td></tr> +</table> + + +<h3>CHAPTER VIII.</h3> + +<table summary="Chapter VIII" align="center"> +<tr><td align="left">Kit Carson visits Fremont's Camp—Goes on the Second Exploring Expedition—The +Necessary Arrangements—Trip to Salt Lake—Explorations 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—Tlamath +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 Sutter's Fort in a Destitute Condition—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 Adventure—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, </td> +<td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page178">178</a></td></tr> +</table> + + +<h3>CHAPTER IX.</h3> + +<table summary="Chapter IX" align="center"> +<tr><td align="left">Kit Carson concludes to become a Farmer—He is joined in the Enterprise by a +Friend—They build a Ranche on the Cimeron River—Descriptions 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 encounter 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 repulsed—The Burial of Comrades, </td> +<td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page232">232</a></td></tr> +</table> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page10" id="page10"></a>[pg 10]</span> + +<h3>CHAPTER X.</h3> + +<table summary="Chapter X" align="center"> +<tr><td align="left">Fremont en route for California—His men are anxious to punish the Tlamath 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 destroyed—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 Tlamath 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, </td> +<td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page261">261</a></td></tr> +</table> + + +<h3>CHAPTER XI.</h3> + +<table summary="Chapter XI" align="center"> +<tr><td align="left">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 the Dispatches +by Fitzpatrick—The March—Arrival at Warner's Ranche—Mexicans on +the Road—Preparations for a Battle—The Battle—Disastrous Consequences—Kit +Carson and Lieutenant 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—Reinforcements sent +out—Lieutenant Beale is Delirious from the Privations he has undergone—Gen. +Kearney and his Command finally reach and join the other American Forces in +California, </td> +<td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page274">274</a></td></tr> +</table> + + +<h3>CHAPTER XII.</h3> + +<table summary="Chapter XII" align="center"> +<tr><td align="left">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 Carson's Introduction to Col. Benton and Mrs. Fremont—Hospitality +offered to him at Washington—Kit Carson receives the Appointment of Lieutenant +in the Rifle Corps of the U.S. Army from President Polk—He is ordered to +carry Dispatches to California—The Journey—A Brush with the Camanche Indians—Arrival +at Santa Fé—More trouble with hostile Indians—Arrival at Los +Angelos—Dispatches delivered—Kit Carson is assigned to do Duty with the Dragoons—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, </td> +<td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page297">297</a></td></tr> +</table> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page11" id="page11"></a>[pg 11]</span> + + +<h3>CHAPTER XIII.</h3> + +<table summary="Chapter XIII" align="center"> +<tr><td align="left">Kit Carson at his Home—The Apache Indians become hostile—An Expedition sent +against them—It is not successful—Another is organized, 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 Massacre +of a Santa Fé Merchant—His Wife is made Prisoner—The Expedition 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 their +Animals—Kit Carson with thirteen others in the 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, </td> +<td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page322">322</a></td></tr> +</table> + + +<h3>CHAPTER XIV.</h3> + +<table summary="Chapter XIV" align="center"> +<tr><td align="left">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 Fé Traders for their Money—The Disclosure—Kit +Carson goes to the Rescue of the Traders—The Camp of United States Recruits—Captain +Snell with twenty Men joins Kit Carson and they two make the +Arrest of Fox—Gratitude expressed 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 return 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, </td> +<td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page361">361</a></td></tr> +</table> + + +<h3>CHAPTER XV.</h3> + +<table summary="Chapter XV" align="center"> +<tr><td align="left">Kit Carson's last Trapping Expedition—He embarks in a Speculation—His Trip to +California with a large Flock of Sheep—The Method employed 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 Indian—High-handed Measures +on the Part of the Apaches—Davidson's desperate Fight with them—The Soldiers +defeated with severe loss—Davidson's Bravery is unjustly questioned—Kit Carson's +Opinion of it—The Apaches elated by their Victory—Their Imitations of the +Actions of Military Men, </td> +<td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page389">389</a></td></tr> +</table> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page12" id="page12"></a>[pg 12]</span> + + +<h3>CHAPTER XVI.</h3> + +<table summary="Chapter XVI" align="center"> +<tr><td align="left">A fresh Campaign set on foot—Col. Cook in Command—Kit Carson goes as Guide—The +Apaches and Utahs leagued together—The Roughness 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—Col. Cook is obliged to return to Abiquiu—A Utah +taken Prisoner 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 obliged to return to Rio Colorado—Major Brooks and +Reinforcements come to the Rescue—Major Brooks on the Lookout, but fails to +find the Indians—Carleton's Expedition—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, </td> +<td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page434">434</a></td></tr> +</table> + + +<h3>CHAPTER XVII.</h3> + +<table summary="Chapter XVII" align="center"> +<tr><td align="left">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 commenced—The Trail found—The Indians are met and +the first Fight and 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 War and 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 +look upon him—His influence over Indians—General remarks—Conclusion, </td> +<td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page466">466</a></td></tr> +</table> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page13" id="page13"></a>[pg 13]</span> + + + + +<h1>LIFE OF KIT CARSON.</h1> + + +<h2>CHAPTER I.</h2> + +<blockquote><p> +Carson'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—Broaders is Wounded—Carson's Nerve put to the Test—Rude +Amputation—Safe Arrival at Santa Fé—Goes to Taos and learns the Spanish +Language—Early Vicissitudes—Disappointment and Attempt to return to +Missouri—Is employed as an Interpreter, Teamster, etc. +</p></blockquote> + + +<p>It is now a well-established fact, that no State in the +American Union has given birth to so many distinguished +pioneers and explorers of its boundless Territories, 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 +<i>morale</i> with which to gain at once for these characteristics +the assent of the reader, by the simple assertion, +"My Hero was born a Kentuckian." Indeed, in America, +to be a native of the State of Kentucky, is to inherit all +the attributes of a brave man, a safe counsellor and a +true friend. It is, at least, certain that this State, +whether the fact is due to its inland and salubrious climate, +or to its habits of physical training, has added +many a Hero unto humanity.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page14" id="page14"></a>[pg 14]</span> + +<p>Christopher Carson, by his countrymen familiarly +called "Kit Carson," was born in the County of Madison, +State of Kentucky, on the 24th day of December, +1809. The Carson family were among the first settlers +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, putting 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 disposition; 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, Missouri, was a wilderness, on the remote +American frontier. 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 following 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 +settled in the State of California, where he resided +twenty-five years before the great California gold discovery was made.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page15" id="page15"></a>[pg 15]</span> +agricultural pursuits, working their farms, and so forth, +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 pox, that disease +which has proved such a terrible scourge to the Indian, +had but seldom visited him.<a id="footnotetag1" name="footnotetag1"></a><a href="#footnote1"><sup>1</sup></a></p> + +<p>The incidents which enliven and add interest to the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page16" id="page16"></a>[pg 16]</span> +historic page, have proved of spontaneous and vigorous +growth in the new settlements of America. Nearly +every book which deals with the early planting and progress +of the American colonists and pioneers, contains +full, and frequently glowing, descriptions of exploits 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 family 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 forest; 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 better, therefore, to pass over +the youthful period of his eventful life, until he began to ripen into manhood.</p> + +<p>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 countrymen. +Those who knew him at the age of fifteen, hesitated +not to say, "Kit Carson is the boy who will grow +into a man of influence and renown."</p> + +<p>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, determined +perseverance, indomitable will, unflinching courage, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page17" id="page17"></a>[pg 17]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>His frame was slight, below the medium stature, 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.</p> + +<p>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. Workman +young Carson remained two years, enjoying both +the confidence and respect of his employer; but, mourning +over the awl, the hide of new leather, the buckle and +strap; for, the glorious shade of the mighty forest; the +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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page18" id="page18"></a>[pg 18]</span> +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 opportunity and +quit it forever. With him, to resolve has ever been +followed by action. During the latter part of his stay +with Mr. Workman, many stories of adventures in the +Rocky Mountains reached the ear of the youthful Kentuckian +in his Missouri home. The almost miraculous +<i>hyperbole</i> 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 sway, in 1826, joined a party bound +for his boyish fancy-pictures of the Elysian Fields. The +leader of this expedition required no second request +from young Carson before enrolling his name on the +company-list. The hardy woodsman saw stamped upon +the frank and open countenance of the boy who stood +before him those sterling qualities which have since made +his name a household word. These formed a passport +which, on the spot, awakened the respect and unlocked +the hearts of those whose companionship he sought.</p> + +<p>The work of preparation was now commenced by the +different parties to the expedition. All of the arrangements +having been finally completed, the bold and hardy +band soon started upon their journey. Their route lay +over the vast, and then unexplored territory, bounded +by the Rocky Mountains on the one side, and the Missouri +River on the other. Before them lay, stretched +out in almost never-ending space, those great prairies, +the half of which are still unknown to the white man. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page19" id="page19"></a>[pg 19]</span> +Crossing the plains in 1826 was an entirely different feat +from what it is at this day. Where, then, were the published +guides? Where were the charts indicating the +eligible camping grounds with their springs of pure water? +These <i>oases</i> of the American Sahara were not yet +acquainted with the white man's foot. The herds of +buffaloes, the droves of wild horses, knew not the crack +of the white man's rifle. They had fled only at the approach +of the native Indian warrior and the yearly fires +of the prairie. It was a difficult task to find a man who +had gazed on the lofty peaks of the mountain ranges +which formed a serpentine division of the vast American +Territories, or who had drank the waters at the camping +places on the prairies. The traveller at that day was, in +every force of meaning which the word extends, literally, +an explorer, 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 whole expanse of the rolling +prairie, to those brave hearts, was one boundless uncertainty. +This language may possibly be pronounced +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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page20" id="page20"></a>[pg 20]</span> +of Kit Carson entitle him to a place in the heart of +the American nation on the same shelf with his compeers.</p> + +<p>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, unrelenting, 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, assassination and necessary +chastisement have united rapidly to decimate his +race, thereby gradually lessening its power. Thirty 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 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 curiosity into troublesome +thieving. Knowing no law but their wild traditionary +rules, they wrested from the adventurous pioneer, his +rifle, knife, axe, wagon, harness, horse, powder, ball, +flint, watch, compass, cooking utensils, and so forth. +The result was, sanguinary engagements 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 wild war-whoop, with +its keen-edged knife and death-dealing rifle accompaniments, +will continue, from time to time, to palsy the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page21" id="page21"></a>[pg 21]</span> +nerve, and arouse the courage of the pioneer white man. +The Indian, in his attack, 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.</p> + +<p>The bold traveller, whose pathway lies over those +great highroads 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 grave, making themselves, +in turn, an object of revenge.</p> + +<p>It has already appeared that when Kit Carson entered +upon his first expedition, game was to be had in abundance. +His route lay across the western wilds to Santa +Fé. All this distance the bulk of provisions, consisting +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 +labor. Everything was so arranged, both for this and +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page22" id="page22"></a>[pg 22]</span> +subsequent expeditions, by which a regular hunter was +appointed, and each man assigned some particular duty +according to his capacity. These appointments were +usually made by the leader of the party, whose supervision +was acknowledged by general consent on account +of his known experience and capability. This plan was +the more necessary in order to avoid confusion.</p> + +<p>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 several +days the men had been greatly annoyed by wolves +who appeared more than usually ravenous and bold.<a id="footnotetag2" name="footnotetag2"></a><a href="#footnote2"><sup>2</sup></a></p> + +<p>In order to frighten the wolves, the teamsters would +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page23" id="page23"></a>[pg 23]</span> +occasionally shoot them. One of the members of the +expedition was obliged to take a fresh rifle from a +wagon. In taking the gun out, the hammer 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 suggestion was offered +and every effort was put forth which heart feeling +chained to anxiety and the terrible necessity, 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 painful in no ordinary +degree. After every possible argument had been offered +in favor of saving the arm, the final decision of the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page24" id="page24"></a>[pg 24]</span> +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 exciting 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 necessary task. The arrangements +were all hastily, but carefully made, and the cutting +begun. The instruments used were a razor, an old +saw; and, to arrest the hemorrhage, 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 Fé the patient had so far recovered +that he was able to take care of himself.</p> + +<p>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 exploring +parties, both from published account and conversational +directions. The party entered Santa Fé 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 northeast +of the capital of New Mexico. During the winter +that followed his arrival in the territory of New Mexico, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page25" id="page25"></a>[pg 25]</span> +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 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.</p> + +<p>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 Fé, +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 Mexico. They offered him employment, +which he gladly accepted; and, in their company, +retraced his steps back to Santa Fé But when +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page26" id="page26"></a>[pg 26]</span> +arrived at Santa Fé, Kit found himself again without money. +He was afforded an opportunity to obtain a wardrobe, +but to the mountaineer, 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 his own ingenuity is the fashion-plate by +which they are manufactured into wearable and comfortable +vesture. There is one article of clothing, however, +for which the frontiersman feels an ardent predilection. +It is a woollen 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 does Kit at this day, as +he recounts the fact in his own inimitable style. But +Kit says that to obtain a woollen 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 expedition bound to El Paso. +This opportunity was a chance for success not to be lost, +and he closed with the proposition. After faithfully performing +his engagement, he, however, returned to Santa +Fé, 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 has +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; +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page27" id="page27"></a>[pg 27]</span> +and that, for these valuable services, labor, care +and diligence, he gave to Kit, as a <i>quid pro quo</i>, his +board. In this way Kit supported himself in his straitened +circumstances until the following spring.</p> + +<p>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, Missouri, +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 opportunity for gaining a permission +to join them. His intention 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, sorrowfully, started for Missouri. But, as +on the former trip homeward, he met on the route a +party bound for Santa Fé. That indomitable ingredient +in his composition, an iron will, caused him once more to +turn his face westward. He joined this party and returned +to Santa Fé, in order again to tempt fortune for +an opportunity 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.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page28" id="page28"></a>[pg 28]</span> + +<p>On arriving once more at Santa Fé, 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 Chihuahua, 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 copper mines which are found +near to the Rio Gila. Amid 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, both inward and +outward, through which a young man of courage and +ambition must expect to pass before he can win position, +influence, and the comforts of life, whatever the scene of +his action, or whatever the choice of employment suitable +to his talent and genius. Kit Carson was determined, +no matter what might be the obstacles which +presented themselves, to be a hunter and trapper.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page29" id="page29"></a>[pg 29]</span> +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 overcome 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 <i>en route</i> for the river Colorado +of the <i>west</i>, 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.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page30" id="page30"></a>[pg 30]</span> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER II.</h2> + +<blockquote><p> +The news of the Defeat of Mr. Young's Trapping Party by the Indians reaches +Taos—Young raises a Party to chastise the Indians—Kit Carson 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 Trappers +engage with the Indians in a Battle—Return to the Camp with recovered Property. +</p></blockquote> + + +<p>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 prominent 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; the Mexican +statutory law prohibited the granting of licenses to citizens +of the United States. This law was, however, often +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page31" id="page31"></a>[pg 31]</span> +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 preparations 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.</p> + +<p>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 sufficiently +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 southwest, +and travelled through the country occupied by the Navajoes, +who are an interesting and dangerous race of +Indians, even to the trader of this day. On their route, +the company passed through Zuni, a Peublo town; thence +they traveled to the head of Salt River, one of the +tributaries of the Rio Gila. Here they discovered the +band of Indians who had attacked and defeated the +former party. As soon as the Indians discovered 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 round about mistook +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page32" id="page32"></a>[pg 32]</span> +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 warriors 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 Indians, 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 +different stamp from that which is exhibited by the +whites, especially where the white man is a Simon-pure +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page33" id="page33"></a>[pg 33]</span> +western trapper. The white man on the prairie or in +the mountains, 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.</p> + +<p>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 attacks +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 California. 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 water. They had learned from +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page34" id="page34"></a>[pg 34]</span> +some friendly Indians that the country over which +they had to pass <i>en route</i> was destitute of water. The +red men told them additionally 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 travelled 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.</p> + +<p>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 Cañon of the Colorado, which failed not to awaken +a thrill of delight in every member of the party. Just +before reaching the Cañon they met a party of Mohave +Indians, of whom they purchased an old mare. She was +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page35" id="page35"></a>[pg 35]</span> +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, from whom +they procured a small quantity of corn and beans. +Leaving the Colorado they recommenced their journey +and travelled southwest. In three days they arrived at +a stream which rises in the coast range, runs northeast +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, Sublett, 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 <i>en route</i> to explore it when attacked. +Four only out of their entire company 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 reappear 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page36" id="page36"></a>[pg 36]</span> +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 Roman +Catholic priest, fifteen Mexican soldiers, and about one +thousand Indians. Belonging to this little colony were +eighty thousand head of cattle, fine fields and vineyards. +Literally the work and life of the Jewish patriarchs were here being reënacted.</p> + +<blockquote><p> +"A shepherd on the mighty plain he watched his roving store." +</p></blockquote> + +<p>To the half-starved followers of Mr. Young, this Mission +appeared to be a "Paradise of Earth." They remained +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 appear +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 America 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 provisions 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 Catholic Mission, called San Fernando. +This establishment was on a much smaller scale than the +first. Young and his hardy followers, however, stopping +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page37" id="page37"></a>[pg 37]</span> +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 northeast. +The last part of their journey led through a delightful +tract of country, where water, grass and game existed in +abundance, seemingly a foretaste of the success which +awaited 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, commanded by Peter +Ogden. Young's men, however, continued 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 separated. 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.</p> + +<p>It was here that Kit Carson soon distinguished himself +as a superior hunter, which reputation he has maintained +ever since, no matter who have been his antagonists. +Not but that Kit may have had his equals; but that it is +next to an impossibility to find his superior. At all +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page38" id="page38"></a>[pg 38]</span> +events, the world has given Kit Carson the title of "Nestor +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 has been 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 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 brow.</p> + +<p>During the sojourn of the trappers on the Sacramento, +an event occurred which exhibited the readiness 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 committing some excesses, +deserted from those to whom 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 refused, a fight ensued, and the priest's party +was defeated. 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 inhabitants +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 rejoined their camp. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page39" id="page39"></a>[pg 39]</span> +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 fortunate 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.</p> + +<p>A circumstance occurred a few days after Mr. Young's +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, succeeded 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 +travelling one hundred miles he came up with the robbers, +and discovered them in the act of feasting upon +horse-flesh, six of their own animals having been killed +to supply the viands. Doubtless 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, scattering them right and left +without mercy. Eight of the warriors were killed in +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page40" id="page40"></a>[pg 40]</span> +the short conflict which ensued. 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 were like the good ship to the +hardy sailors on the mighty ocean. The joyful reaction +which followed such complete success was in ratio to the +fears which the continuing suspense had excited.</p> + +<p>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 enterprise, +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 lifetime 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page41" id="page41"></a>[pg 41]</span> +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 counsellor. +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 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 grey with experience.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page42" id="page42"></a>[pg 42]</span> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER III.</h2> + +<blockquote><p> +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—Arrival +at Santa Fé 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 Deserters—Kit Carson sent in Pursuit—The Fate +of the Runaways—Adventures with Indians—Hair-breadth Escape made by Kit Carson. +</p></blockquote> + + +<p>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 previously 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 are 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, forms, and +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page43" id="page43"></a>[pg 43]</span> +ceremonies of the Roman Catholic Church. They have +not failed to inherit the superstition of their forefathers. +Not withstanding the changes which time, with its cohorts +of emigration, books, religious teachings, 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.</p> + +<p>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 "firewater," +thus attacking them in a weak point. When +they should become fully inebriated they considered the +matter of their arrest both easy and certain.</p> + +<p>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 equipage, +and move on, with the instructions, that if he did not +soon join him, to push on; that if he did not eventually +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page44" id="page44"></a>[pg 44]</span> +overtake him, to report in New Mexico that the main +party had been massacred. Young succeeded in 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 conquered, 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 the 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 reinforcements at the mission.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>While encamped on this stream, a band of five hundred +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page45" id="page45"></a>[pg 45]</span> +Indians made their appearance and entered the +camp. The rascals professed the greatest friendship for +the trappers, but their actions not fully measuring 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 apparent 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, occupied it; the +rest were out visiting their traps, which it was their +general custom to set whenever they arrived 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."</p> + +<p>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 completely +by surprise at Kit's unusual boldness. Seeing +that they would inevitably lose several of their braves +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page46" id="page46"></a>[pg 46]</span> +if they made any hostile demonstration, they chose the +discreet part of best policy, and departed. As a general +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 own killed +will equal the number of scalps which they can obtain. +This rule, and doubtless some fearfulness on the part of +the Indians, saved the lives of the entire band.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>On the same evening, after the men had wrapped +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page47" id="page47"></a>[pg 47]</span> +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 distant 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 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 opportunity to instill a lesson +on the savage marauders was too good to be lost.</p> + +<p>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 masters 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 Indians. 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, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page48" id="page48"></a>[pg 48]</span> +where they found Mr. Robert McKnight engaged in +trading with the neighboring 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 therefore placed under the care of Mr. McKnight. +Young and his men then renewed their march, and in +due time arrived safely at Santa Fé. Here they purchased +licenses to trade with the Indians who live about +the copper mines. With these licenses as protection +papers, they returned to where the skins were concealed. +Having once more recovered their fur, they returned +with it to Santa Fé. The deserted mines of New Mexico +show incontrovertible signs of having been successfully +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 probably 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 legendary 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, uselessness of the metals, the work +was abandoned, and their descendants failed to obtain +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page49" id="page49"></a>[pg 49]</span> +the knowledge which their ancestors possessed. These +mines, and those which exist nearer to the large towns, +will some day render New Mexico a profitable and rich +field for the learned antiquary.</p> + +<p>The ruse which Mr. Young found absolutely necessary +to employ, in order to blind the Mexican authorities, +succeeded so well, that when the fur arrived at 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 the 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 disbanded, 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 merrymaking. +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. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page50" id="page50"></a>[pg 50]</span> +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 noble 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 schooled that he was +able, by the caution and advice of wisdom founded on +experience, to prevent many a promising and skillful +hand from grasping ruin in the same vortex.</p> + +<p>The scenes of pleasure lasted until the fall of 1830. +Kit then joined his second trapping expedition. This +band had been formed for the purpose of trapping the +principal streams of the Rocky Mountains. Mr. Fitzpatrick, +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 enviable fame as an +Indian Agent. The new party travelled North and commenced +operations on the Platte River, which they followed +down stream to one of its tributaries, 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, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page51" id="page51"></a>[pg 51]</span> +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 of +1831, they recommenced trapping, shaping their course +for Bear River. This is the principal stream that empties +into GREAT SALT LAKE. Thence they returned to +Green River, where they found some Trappers under the +command of Mr. Sinclair, who left New Mexico soon after +Mr. Fitzpatrick's party and had wintered on the Bear +River. Among many other facts, they learned from this +party that Captain Gaunt, who was an old mountaineer +well known to most of the whites present, had passed +the winter on the Laramie River, and that he was then +with his men in the New 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.</p> + +<p>There are two of these natural Parks in the Rocky +Mountains. To distinguish them they are called the Old +Park and the New Park. As their names imply, they +are fair natural examples of the manufactured parks of +civilization. In some things nature has lavished upon +them charms and beauties which no human skill can imitate. +These parks are favorite haunts of the deer, antelope +and elk, while the streams which run through them +are well stocked with otter and beaver. Kit and his +companions were graciously received by Gaunt; and, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page52" id="page52"></a>[pg 52]</span> +with him they trapped the streams in the vicinity of the +New 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 captain went to +Taos to dispose of their stock of furs and to make such +purchases of necessaries as the men required. Gaunt returned +after an absence of two months; when, trapping +operations were resumed on the Arkansas River, which +they trapped until it froze over. The party then went into Winter Quarters.</p> + +<p>The business of 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 sufficient +to satisfy the uninitiated on this point; for, the +beaver, above all other wild animals of America is endowed +with an extraordinary amount of instinct. His +handiwork and habits sufficiently attest this.</p> + +<p>There are bands of Indians living in the Northwestern +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 between +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 inquisitive +traveller are somewhat startling; nevertheless, +what this amphibious animal really performs is truly +astounding, and oftentimes the truth fails to gain credence.</p> + +<p>During the winter the trappers had many very pleasant +times, for they had little work beyond the task of +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page53" id="page53"></a>[pg 53]</span> +making themselves comfortable. The snow fell to a +great depth, which proved rather hard for their animals. +By dint of cutting down cottonwood trees and gathering +the bark and branches for fodder, they managed to +prevent them from dying of starvation. The buffalo existed +about there in great abundance; 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 themselves living quite sumptuously.</p> + +<p>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 <i>signs</i> of the Indians +were discovered. Kit Carson, with twelve of his +companions, immediately saddled their horses and started +in pursuit. It was very difficult 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, causing them to think of making a +halt. After due consultation, 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page54" id="page54"></a>[pg 54]</span> +parties was inconsiderable; but, in order that their +movements might be made unobserved, the trappers +retreated 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 travelling, 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 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 outside one of the forts, the nine stolen +animals were securely 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 Indians should be made notwithstanding +their strength. To insure success in spite of their +weakness, they determined to conceal themselves and +wait quietly until the Indians had lain down for sleep. +During this time of suspense the trappers were subjected +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page55" id="page55"></a>[pg 55]</span> +to great suffering 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 commenced +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 sleeping Indians. +The trappers who acted as a reserve party +soon after joined Kit and his companions; and, 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 damage. The remainder, +those who had lost no animals, 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.</p> + +<p>There always existed such a feeling of brotherly love +among the old trappers of the Rocky 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page56" id="page56"></a>[pg 56]</span> +held to the side of danger. The whole band were +now unanimous in favor of the attack.</p> + +<p>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 survived +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 +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.</p> + +<p>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. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page57" id="page57"></a>[pg 57]</span> +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 terrible +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 services 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 fighting, 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 <i>cached</i> +their fur, the whole band departed for Laramie River on another expedition.</p> + +<p>While on the south fork of the Platte, two of the +party deserted, taking with them three of their best +animals. Suspecting their design, Gaunt sent Kit Carson +and another man in pursuit of the fugitives, who +had one day the start. As was suspected, the two deserters +had gone to the camp where the beaver fur was +concealed and buried. They had succeeded in digging +it up and stealing about three hundred pounds of this +valuable property, belonging to the company in general, +share and share alike. Carson and his companion failed +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page58" id="page58"></a>[pg 58]</span> +entirely in their efforts to find the two men. Doubtless +they never lived to enjoy their ill-gotten wealth; for, +notwithstanding careful search was made, the men were +never heard from afterwards. It is probable that they +were killed by Indians, a fate which they, at least, richly merited.</p> + +<p>This old camp, the reader will please bear in mind, +was on the Arkansas River. Kit Carson and his comrade, +after finding that the two deserters had thus succeeded +in stealing the fur which had been buried by the +company, made every further effort which lay in their +power to recover it. As has also been seen, they were +unsuccessful. It now remained for them to determine +their future course. The country was so infested with +hostile Indians that it made their position, thus alone, +very precarious. To regain their commander's company +was almost impracticable; at least, without a more important +object to make the risk necessary, it was a foolhardy +attempt. Time in learning the loss was of no +great importance either to their leader or their party. +Sooner or later this, as a matter of course, would be +fully shown. Kit and his comrade, therefore, determined +to remain where they were, in the old camp; and, to +this end, immediately arranged everything so that they +could make a successful defence in case they should be +attacked by the savages. They did not dare to venture +out far from their fortifications; but, this was no great +trial to them, as game existed in great plenty and came +very near their fortifications. While one slept, the other +stood on guard. It was their intention to await the +return of their party; but, at the expiration of one +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page59" id="page59"></a>[pg 59]</span> +month, they were quite happily relieved from their +perilous position. Mr. Blackwell, Mr. Gaunt's partner, +arrived from the United States. He was accompanied +by fifteen men, and brought with him a complete outfit +for the entire band. Kit and his comrade had been expecting +and were anxiously looking for this party. They +were also made quite happy in obtaining the articles of +outfit which would render their wild life more agreeable +and easy. Shortly after this arrival, four men from the +trapping party came into camp and brought the news as +to the whereabouts of Gaunt and his men. They were +overjoyed at finding Kit and his comrade, as they said +that they had hunted for them in all directions; and, +finally had given up all hopes of ever seeing them again. +The whole party now began the march to join Gaunt at the Ballo Salado.<a id="footnotetag3" name="footnotetag3"></a><a href="#footnote3"><sup>3</sup></a></p> + +<p>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 camp, an alarm of Indians was given by +one of the men. He had accidentally discovered the +red skin rascals as they were prowling about the camp. +A rush was instantly made by the trappers, with rifles +in hand, to save their horses. Shots were fired and one +Indian fell. The rest of the band made off as empty-handed +as they came, with one exception. 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page60" id="page60"></a>[pg 60]</span> +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 attempted stampede.<a id="footnotetag4" name="footnotetag4"></a><a href="#footnote4"><sup>4</sup></a></p> + +<p>This day the party travelled fifty miles and thought +themselves clear of Indians, as there were no visible +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page61" id="page61"></a>[pg 61]</span> +signs of their presence. The experience of the day, +however, 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, +sufficient 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, however, 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 visitor of, or casual traveller +over, the Western Territories. To them his rattlesnake-ship +is a formidable personage.</p> + +<p>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 antagonist +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 limited or restrained, that the +trapper rarely gives him a thought unless he comes in +direct contact. Although they are so numerous, it very +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page62" id="page62"></a>[pg 62]</span> +seldom happens that either the Indian or the trapper is bitten by them.</p> + +<p>The party had not been long at rest before their suspicions +were aroused that hostile Indians were near +them. A faithful dog belonging to the camp kept up a +furious barking, much more lustily than when wolves annoyed +him. An extra guard was therefore immediately +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 during 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.</p> + +<p>Four of the men immediately saddled the fleetest of +the remaining horses and instantly gave chase. After +a quick run they came up with the savages and immediately +gave them battle. A sharp skirmish ensued in +which one of the warriors was killed, when the remainder +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 recovered.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page63" id="page63"></a>[pg 63]</span> + +<p>Kit and his companions in the mean time, 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 and an +occasional resting-place being sought for breathing 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 carelessly homeward, beguiling the +time with anecdote and remark upon their future prospects, +the scenery around them, with an occasional sight +at some kind of game, what should appear ahead of them +but four Indian 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 commenced, 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.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page64" id="page64"></a>[pg 64]</span> + +<p>There was but one course for the trappers to take and +that was to run the gauntlet, which they did in gallant +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 +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 according +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 perhaps a single +shot might change defeat into victory; sure captivity +into freedom, or a dead companion into a laughing, jolly +and lovable help-mate, 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 reason the savages did not give chase.</p> + +<p>As soon as Carson and his comrades had got out of the +reach of the Indians they began to recall the suspicions +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page65" id="page65"></a>[pg 65]</span> +concerning signs of Indians which their faithful dog had +aroused. Fears for the safety of their companions arose +accordingly. Therefore, giving spurs to their horses +they pushed on with vigor to know the worst. The facts +that awaited them at camp concerning 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 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 surprise, 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, obtaining by its massacre, revenge for +their dead companion; 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 +promptitude 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. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page66" id="page66"></a>[pg 66]</span> +Had such a skirmish 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 attempt but, thank God, failed."</p> + +<p>Two of the trappers had received, in this affray, +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 maintain +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.</p> + +<p>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, which-ever 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page67" id="page67"></a>[pg 67]</span> +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 elasticity.</p> + +<p>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 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.</p> + +<p>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 Old Park. The coveted beaver however +were scarce there, for other trappers had preceded +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." Catching +beaver is not always a matter of choice. The beaver +themselves have considerable to say on the subject.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page68" id="page68"></a>[pg 68]</span> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER IV.</h2> + +<blockquote><p> +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 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—Annoyances 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—Braggadocio—Kit +Carson Fights a Duel and Wounds his man—Duels in the +Rocky Mountains in Olden Times. +</p></blockquote> + + +<p>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 disheartened +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 companions offered +to join him. These were gladly accepted by Kit; and, +had they not been deterred by the consideration that +their dangers would be greatly augmented 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, Kit and his two +brave comrades boldly and confidently commenced their march.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page69" id="page69"></a>[pg 69]</span> + +<p>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.<a id="footnotetag5" name="footnotetag5"></a><a href="#footnote5"><sup>5</sup></a></p> + +<p>For several months they followed the business of trapping +without being in any way annoyed by the Indians. +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 correspondingly +high. Kit and his comrades obtained the benefit of this +state of the market and disposed of their fine stock to great advantage.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page70" id="page70"></a>[pg 70]</span> +might offer. Kit's former experience had been sufficient +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.</p> + +<p>While remaining at Taos, Kit Carson met with Captain +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 household +words of their boyhood days.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>In the latter part of October 1832, with their goods +well packed and properly fitted for the rough transportation +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." This is nothing more than a mule path which +leads from New Mexico to California.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 presented +itself. Soon after these parties met, snow began to fall, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page71" id="page71"></a>[pg 71]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>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 circumstances. +They were provided with skin lodges, so +common among the Indians of America, and which +according to Kit's mountaineer experience are very +comfortable substitutes for houses.</p> + +<p>During the winter Mr. Robidoux lost six of his most +valuable and high-priced horses, in the following manner. +Attached to the camp there was a California +Indian 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 troublesome customer in a skirmish.</p> + +<p>This Indian's education on the score of property +rights had not been as well attended to as the methods +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."</p> + +<p>As these horses were worth, even at that remote +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page72" id="page72"></a>[pg 72]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>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 is a man who never works without orders except +when he is leader. He therefore informed Captain Lee +of Mr. Robidoux's request and asked permission 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.</p> + +<p>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 accomplished +as Carson's reputation for skill, courage and +experience was already well known in this tribe. He, +himself, had made a large circle of acquaintance among +the braves, and many of them had become strongly +attached to him. Some of these attachments have +existed for years and are still maintained; for, a fact +well known, the American Indian warrior, as a general +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page73" id="page73"></a>[pg 73]</span> +rule, is true and unchangeable in his friendships. With +this object 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 engaging 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. Their pace was 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 themselves to their work with +determination accordingly. To discover the trail of the +deserter and to study its 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 by the stolen +animals, however, were well marked; and, to such practised +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 River. 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page74" id="page74"></a>[pg 74]</span> +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 predicament, 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 punishment for theft, +Carson well knew that he would require 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 +spectacle here presented to the reader, is one which exhibits +Kit Carson in his true character both as a faithful +and earnest friend, and a determined and dangerous +adversary. Such is his character. A life of most singular +events has never yet found him false to his friend +or his manhood. While he is not rash in judgment, he +is 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 practised and +ready eye can follow them to any advantageous end. +To trace them even at a snail's pace, for an unpractised +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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page75" id="page75"></a>[pg 75]</span> +doubtless carry the simile fully and strikingly to the +mind. But the result which crowned Kit's effort 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 at the same instant that he was discovered by Kit, +and instantly prepared for a desperate 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 now at full speed and +he was rapidly nearing the Indian. At the moment he +discovered that the Indian 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.</p> + +<p>The words of an old trapper are here very much to +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page76" id="page76"></a>[pg 76]</span> +the point. The author was, on a fitting occasion, questioning +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 <i>first +sight over his rifle</i>; for, if he succeeds in this, his adversary is as good as dead."</p> + +<p>An intimate acquaintance and tried friendship with +Kit Carson has, since then, repeatedly furnished occasions +which have confirmed this trapper's statement; +although, in the first instance, a person will find it no +easy task to render an altercation necessary, for Kit +Carson holds his passions fully under control; and, +besides, they are of a very conciliatory type. No man +will sooner shun a difficulty when justice, honor and +necessity do not warrant strife.</p> + +<p>The work of collecting the horses was soon accomplished, +when Carson immediately commenced his journey +back to the camp. This he reached in safety, after +overcoming a few minor difficulties caused by his 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.</p> + +<p>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, can +spin yarns most wondrous. The habits of the beaver +and their remarkable instinct, form a fit subject for their +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page77" id="page77"></a>[pg 77]</span> +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 accomplishment. +To give them life and reality, they require 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 hairbreadth +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.</p> + +<p>"Ah! Jones, that is a whopper."</p> + +<p>"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 across the floor +of the tent, using the chist, skins, arms and everything."</p> + +<p>"Oh! Jones!"</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>"That beaver," responded Jones, "was as near like a +human bein' as any man present."</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page78" id="page78"></a>[pg 78]</span> + +<p>"How do you make that out, Mr. Jones?"</p> + +<p>"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' himself to death +and a huggin' the ole shoe."</p> + +<p>"Oh! Jones," said the greenhorn, "you don't expect +I'll swallow all that yarn?"</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>"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'."</p> + +<p>"That is neither here nor there," continued Mr. +Jones. "It was when the trapper first made the beaver's +acquaintance that he showed he knew as much as +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."</p> + +<p>The whistle which the neophyte here gave seemed to +give great dissatisfaction to all of the trappers present. +One of them quietly asked him—</p> + +<p>"Is that the way, youngster, you'se bin eddicated in +perliteniss of manners? If it is, I know a beaver who +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page79" id="page79"></a>[pg 79]</span> +kin larn you sumthin'. In the fust place, if a young +beaver ever kums inter the presence of the ole uns, +especially if she's, that is the ole uns, a female beaver, +the young un 'mediately fetches his right fore paw up to +his forehead, jest 'hind 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."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 contain +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 <i>liaisons</i>, 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 +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 gaining 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.</p> + +<p>As has appeared, after collecting the six horses, Kit +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page80" id="page80"></a>[pg 80]</span> +Carson returned with them safely into camp. A few +days subsequent to this occurrence, a band of trappers +belonging to another party <i>en route</i>, 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 journey, +although perilous and laborious, was successfully accomplished. +Messrs. Fitzpatrick and Bridger received +and entertained them very hospitably, and purchased +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 men congregated together +either to accomplish much, or to make the general result +profitable in the distribution. He, accordingly, 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.</p> + +<p>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 trapper +pursues in order to catch beaver. It is very simple +in its detail but difficult and tedious in its application. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page81" id="page81"></a>[pg 81]</span> +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<a id="footnotetag6" name="footnotetag6"></a><a href="#footnote6"><sup>6</sup></a> 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 Frenchman +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.</p> + +<p>But to escape from these pleasing digressions, Kit +Carson and his men concluded their summer's work with +unusual success. Their exertions had been crowned +with rewards which surpassed their fondest anticipations. +As the wintry months were again fast coming on, Kit +and his men determined to rejoin Bridger's' command. +The return trip, was therefore commenced and duly prosecuted. +Late one afternoon, just after the little party +had gone into camp, Kit, having lingered somewhat behind, +suddenly rode into the camp ground and leaped +from his horse, giving it in care of one of the men. +With his rifle, he then started in pursuit of game for +supper. He walked on about one mile from the camp +and there came upon the fresh tracks of some elk. Following +up the trail he discovered the game grazing on +the side of a hill. In the neighborhood of the animals +there were some low and craggy pine trees. Moving +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page82" id="page82"></a>[pg 82]</span> +along with great care, he finally gained the cover of the +trees, which brought him in close proximity to the elk, +and within certain range of his rifle. This care was the +more necessary as his party had been without meat diet +for some time and began to be greatly in need thereof. +These ever wary animals saw, or scented him; or, at any +rate, became conscious of approaching danger from some +cause, before he could reach the spot from which he +desired to take his aim. They had commenced moving; +and, in another instant, would have bounded away, out +of all reach of his rifle. His eye and piece, however, +were too quick for them; for, bringing his piece into position +and without dwelling upon his aim, he sped a bullet +after the largest and the fattest of the noble game +before him. He had wisely allowed for the first leap, +for his shot caught the nimble animal in mid air and +brought him to the earth, writhing in his death agony +with a fearful wound through the heart and lungs, from +which there was no escape. One quiver ran through +the frame of the beautiful animal, 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 woods directly behind +him. Instantly turning his head to note the source +of this sound, the meaning and cause of which he well +knew by his experienced woodman's ear, educated until +its nicety was truly wonderful, he saw two huge and +terribly angry grizzly bears. As his eye first rested upon +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page83" id="page83"></a>[pg 83]</span> +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 Carson was not ignorant of the fact. Instantly +drawing his keen-edged hunting knife, he cut away for +dear life at a thick short branch. The knife and his +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page84" id="page84"></a>[pg 84]</span> +energy conquered the cutting just as Messrs. Bruin had +gathered themselves up for an ascent, a proceeding on +their part to which Mr. Carson would not give assent. +Mr. Carson was well acquainted with the Messrs. Bruin's +pride in, and extreme consideration for, their noses. A +few sharp 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 +noses 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 monarchs +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! This evidently +galled their sensitive natures. It is true the roaring +of the bears in his rear had stimulated Mr. Carson 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. It is 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 flesh. That was their own fault +too; they should have known that racing time cannot +be made on high condition. After leaving their hibernating +quarters they should have been less given to a +sumptuous habit at the table.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width:80%;"><a href="images/82-83.jpg"><img width="100%" src="images/82-83.jpg" alt="Two huge and terribly angry grizzly bears" /></a><p>Two huge and terribly angry grizzly bears +were bounding towards him, their eyes flashing fiery passion, +their pearly teeth glittering with eagerness to mangle his flesh, +and their monstrous forearms, hung with sharp, bony claws, ready +and anxious to hug his body in a close and most loving embrace.—<span class="sc">Page 83.</span></p></div> + +<p>Affairs were, however, by no manner of means settled. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page85" id="page85"></a>[pg 85]</span> +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 previous attempts, they were foiled, and their +ardor dampened 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 regain and immediately to reload his rifle.</p> + +<p>Thus ended an adventure in which Kit Carson considers +that he failed to lose life and limb by the narrowest +miss that ever occurred to him. Although he has +killed much more than his <i>quantum</i> of this kind of game, +and has gained what is a practical advantage to every +western hunter, to wit: a knowledge of all their abilities +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page86" id="page86"></a>[pg 86]</span> +with which they enforce sway, Kit Carson regards this +adventure in the light of a warning. It is a warning +too which he never allows himself to forget; consequently, +whenever he has hunted since, he watches as +closely for signs of Mr. Bruin as he does for the game +he seeks; it would, therefore, be 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.</p> + +<p>Several years ago, a Mexican by the name of Armador +Sanchez, still 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 unable 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 Mexican 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, and horribly mangling him in +every part of his body. The noble hunter could resist +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page87" id="page87"></a>[pg 87]</span> +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 protects it, rushed in and +compelled 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 recovering his breath. +Instead of following up this advantage, 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 had succeeded in breaking the bear's +lower jaw. This had greatly disabled the animal and +undoubtedly was the successful wound which eventually +gave Sanchez the victory. When he felt himself sufficiently +rested, he renewed the fight; and, by adopting +various manœuvres, in which he was greatly assisted by +some adjacent trees, succeeded in putting in several +telling blows with his knife. Again the animal became +aroused to madness unendurable, and, gathering himself +up for a final effort, succeeded in planting a terrible +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 entirely away. How +long he remained in this state he could not tell; but, on +becoming again conscious, he found that the victory was +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page88" id="page88"></a>[pg 88]</span> +on his side, for the bear had already breathed his last. +The poor boy, notwithstanding his wounds, as soon as +the battle was decided; 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 +condition, 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 +heroic blood in defence of youthful weakness. This +picture, 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 +declares the governmental allegiance of the hero.</p> + +<p>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 are +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page89" id="page89"></a>[pg 89]</span> +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 drumming, such as was +Kit's, on the noses of his antagonists; or, some other +equally singular and unlooked-for expedient. 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.</p> + +<p>We take pleasure in here giving further publicity to +the careful research and plain truths which have emanated +from the pen of that distinguished and successful +traveler Dr. Livingston. The new ideas which appear +in his pages in regard to the courage of the "King of +Beasts," have served, in a measure, to correct 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 regard 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 knowledge and investigation, gathered in +his own haunts and on his own wild domain; and, as +such, are given upon our own responsibility. Because +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page90" id="page90"></a>[pg 90]</span> +brave American woodsmen 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, <i>ergo</i> his bearship 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 Mountain 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-growing 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.</p> + +<p>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 who, alone, will undertake to +kill a grizzly bear. If he succeeds, which is very rarely +the 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 requires +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 sacrifice of +several lives. The mounted hunter almost invariably +finds it a difficult task to bring his charger even within +shooting range of this kind of game. On an untrained +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page91" id="page91"></a>[pg 91]</span> +or young horse the accomplishment of this feat is next +to an impossibility; for, instinct seems to teach them +the true character of the game even though they +approach it for the first time.<a id="footnotetag7" name="footnotetag7"></a><a href="#footnote7"><sup>7</sup></a></p> + +<p>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 without +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.</p> + +<p>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 appearance +accompanied by his whole band. The two parties +once more consolidated and started for the summer +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page92" id="page92"></a>[pg 92]</span> +rendezvous, which was appointed to be held on the Green River.</p> + +<p>Upon their arrival at this place, they found congregated, +all the principal trappers of the Rocky Mountains. +They were divided into two camps, and numbered +about two hundred men. The objects which +brought them thus together were, the disposal of their +fur and the purchase of supplies.</p> + +<p>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 mountaineers +required. Sugar and coffee brought two dollars +the pint; powder, the same; and ordinary blankets were +sold at fifteen and twenty-five dollars each.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 Blackfeet +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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page93" id="page93"></a>[pg 93]</span> +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 untiringly +was their camp surrounded and watched by this +wily and dangerous tribe of Indians.</p> + +<p>This state of affairs led them to the determination to +quit the country, as the trapping season was far advanced. +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.</p> + +<p>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 were engaged trapping in their own +country, then merely acting on the defensive, this act on +the part of the savages appeared to the trappers 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page94" id="page94"></a>[pg 94]</span> +progress of the Indians had been, fortunately, considerably +retarded by the necessity of breaking a path through +the deep snow, which had but very recently fallen. The +trappers instantly 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 considerable +advantage over the trappers. After some manœuvering, +the Indians asked for a parley which was +granted. On these occasions, it is customary for one +man from each party to advance to a spot about halfway +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.</p> + +<p>The trappers, believing these tales to be false, considered +this a mere ruse on the part of the Indians to make +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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page95" id="page95"></a>[pg 95]</span> +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 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 restored to them. The +Indians, upon 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 now 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 adversary 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page96" id="page96"></a>[pg 96]</span> +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 unsuccessful +in doing so completely. It struck him in such +a way 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, fortunately, +the main artery of the arm escaped injury. +Notwithstanding 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 trappers 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, +undoubtedly, 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page97" id="page97"></a>[pg 97]</span> +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 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.</p> + +<p>That night the trappers held a council. It was +decided, 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 suffered +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.</p> + +<p>On their arrival, a council was immediately called and +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.</p> + +<p>This was 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 sanguine +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page98" id="page98"></a>[pg 98]</span> +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 +September; when, they again broke up their camp for the fall hunt.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page99" id="page99"></a>[pg 99]</span> +all the Frenchmen present; and, as to the Americans, +he said that "he could cut a stick and switch them." +Such actions and manners, at last, attracted 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 of the company +seemed disposed to put a check upon such unmanly +behavior, he quietly determined to make the affair his own.</p> + +<p>An opportunity soon presented itself. A number of +the company had congregated together and were engaged +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:</p> + +<p>"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 responsibility of ordering you to cease +your threats, or I will be under the necessity of killing you."</p> + +<p>To this Captain Shunan did not reply; but, immediately +after Kit Carson had closed his remarks, he +turned upon his heel and walked directly for his lodge.</p> + +<p>Kit Carson was too well versed in trapper rules not to +read the meaning of this action. He, therefore, walked +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page100" id="page100"></a>[pg 100]</span> +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 they were now, +quietly, so many witnesses of the facts here recorded.</p> + +<p>Captain Shunan was armed with his rifle. Kit Carson +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, until +their horses' heads almost touched, when both horsemen +reined up, and Kit Carson addressed Captain Shunan as follows:</p> + +<p>"Am I the person you are looking for?"</p> + +<p>Captain Shunan replied, "No!"</p> + +<p>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, however, Captain +Shunan could discharge his gun, the ball from Kit Carson's +pistol shattered his forearm, 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 his face.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width:80%;"><a href="images/100-101.jpg"><img width="100%" src="images/100-101.jpg" alt="Before, however, Captain" /></a><p>Before, however, Captain +Shunan could discharge his gun, the ball from Kit Carson's +pistol shattered his forearm.—<span class="sc">Page 100.</span></p></div> + +<p>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 antagonist. +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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page101" id="page101"></a>[pg 101]</span> +did not desire to kill his antagonist, but merely to save +his own life, by disabling his adversary. 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 adversary in one of only two places (his +right or left arms) which would have rendered his aim +with the rifle uncertain, the statement that Kit Carson +did not intend to kill his adversary becomes an incontrovertible +fact. 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.</p> + +<p>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 country, Kit Carson +has 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page102" id="page102"></a>[pg 102]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>The wounded man was carried to his quarters and +every attention shown him in the power of his companions. +His punishment had the effect completely to subdue him.</p> + +<p>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 duelling; for, with the +best of reasoning, there will always exist a difference 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 difficulties, 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page103" id="page103"></a>[pg 103]</span> +their ranks, if detected in any rascality, 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 otherwise. They were +men of unflinching courage, and their weapons were +generally rifles, which, from long practice, they held +with a certain and deadly aim. We cannot better close +this passage in the life of Kit Carson than to quote the +language held in 1846 by the Biographer<a id="footnotetag8" name="footnotetag8"></a><a href="#footnote8"><sup>8</sup></a> of the great +explorer, JOHN CHARLES FREMONT:</p> + +<p>"He" (Christopher Carson) "is a remarkably peaceable +and quiet man, temperate in his habits, and strictly +moral in his deportment. In a letter written from +California, in 1847, introducing Carson as the bearer +of dispatches to the government, Col. Fremont says: +'with me, Carson and truth mean the same thing. He +is always the same—gallant and disinterested.' He is +kind-hearted, and averse to all quarrelsome and turbulent +scenes, and has never been engaged in any mere +personal broils or encounters, except on one single occasion, +which he sometimes modestly describes to his +friends. The narrative is fully confirmed by an eye-witness, +of whose presence at the time he was not +aware, and whose account he has probably never seen +or heard of. I shall tell the story as it is gathered from them both.<a id="footnotetag9" name="footnotetag9"></a><a href="#footnote9"><sup>9</sup></a></p> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page104" id="page104"></a>[pg 104]</span> + +<p>"In the year 1835, the Rev. Samuel Parker made an +exploring and missionary tour, under the auspices of +the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, +beyond the Rocky Mountains, and as far as the +settlements on the Columbia River. In his printed +journal he gives an account of the incident to which I +am referring; it occurred on the 12th of August, at a +point on the borders of Green River, beyond the South +Pass, on the occasion of a 'rendezvous,' that is, on a +spot selected for Indians, trappers, and hunters to bring +to market their peltries, and obtain supplies from the +agents of the Fur Companies. There was a large concourse +of savage tribes, and all the various denizens of +the wilderness. There were Frenchmen, Spaniards, +Dutchmen, Canadians, and Western backwoodsmen. +The Rev. Mr. Parker happened to be there, to witness +the strange gathering. Of course there were some +rude characters, and not a little irregularity and disorder. +Conflicts were liable to arise between quarrelsome +persons, growing out of the feuds among the +tribes, and animosities between the representatives of +different nations, all actuated by pride of race or country.</p> + +<p>"A hunter, named Shunan, a Frenchman, who was +well known by the title of the 'big bully of the mountains,' +mounted his horse with a loaded rifle, and dashing +defiantly around, challenged any person, of any nationality, +to meet him in single combat. He boasted +of his exploits, and used the most insulting and irritating +language, and was particularly insolent and abusive +towards Americans, whom he described as only worth +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page105" id="page105"></a>[pg 105]</span> +being whipped with switches. Kit Carson was in the +crowd, and his patriotic spirit kindled at the taunt. +He at once stepped forward and said, 'I am an American, +the most trifling one among them, but if you wish +to die, I will accept your challenge.' Shunan defied +him. Carson at once leaped upon his horse, with a +loaded pistol, and both dashed into close conflict. +They fired, almost at the same moment, but Carson an +instant the quickest. Their horses' heads touched. +Shunan's ball just grazed Carson's cheek, near the left +eye, and cut off some locks of his hair. Carson's +ball entered Shunan's hand, came out at the wrist, and +passed through his arm above the elbow. The bully +begged his life, and it was spared.</p> + +<p>"This put an effectual stop to all such insolent proceedings, +and Americans were insulted no longer. +Carson is still living, being yet, indeed, in his prime. +His faithful commander has recorded his name on the +geography of the continent, by calling after him a river +and a lake, in the great basin they explored together."</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page106" id="page106"></a>[pg 106]</span> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER V.</h2> + +<blockquote><p> +The Fall Hunt—McCoy of the Hudson's Bay Company organizes a Trapping Party +which Kit Carson joins—The Hunt—Scarcity of Beaver on Humboldt River—The +Party is divided—Kit Carson with a majority of the Men goes to Fort Hall—Hardships +and Privations met with—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—Danger of their goring to death the Horses—The +Spring Hunt—The Blackfeet Indian Village overtaken—A desperate Fight +with these Indians—The Rendezvous—Sir William Stuart and a favorite Missionary—Kit +Carson goes on a Trading Expedition to the Navajoe Indians—The Return—He +accepts the post of Hunter of the Trading Post at Brown's Hole. +</p></blockquote> + + +<p>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, information and belief +of acquaintances and friends, or, whether facts taken +from the thousand allusions to his exploits which have +from time to time flooded the press of the United States.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page107" id="page107"></a>[pg 107]</span> + +<p>The company of trappers which had been so fortunate +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 unpleasant 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.</p> + +<p>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 companions to +become members of his party. With him they traveled +to Mary's River,<a id="footnotetag10" name="footnotetag10"></a><a href="#footnote10"><sup>10</sup></a> 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 some time +when it was divided. McCoy and a small escort started +for Fort Walla Walla. Kit Carson and the majority of +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page108" id="page108"></a>[pg 108]</span> +the men took up their line of march for Fort Hall. +While en route, the latter division was subjected 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 appetites. 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 manœuvering +and talk, during which all the skill and Indian experience +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."</p> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page109" id="page109"></a>[pg 109]</span> + +<p>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 belonging +to barbarians. A mountaineer, not being quite so fastidious, +scouts these ideas, considering them foolish 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 cost.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>Kit Carson and his men, at last, succeeded in reaching +Fort Hall. They were kindly received and amply provided +for by the whites who then occupied it as a +trading post. Here they rapidly recruited their strength, +and in the course of a few days felt able to start out +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page110" id="page110"></a>[pg 110]</span> +upon a buffalo hunt. Reports had come in that large +numbers of buffalo existed in close proximity to the +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 commonplace +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 consequences of.</p> + +<p>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, however +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.<a id="footnotetag11" name="footnotetag11"></a><a href="#footnote11"><sup>11</sup></a></p> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page111" id="page111"></a>[pg 111]</span> + +<p>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 their saddles, +clothing and moccasins. With the aid of a few +buck-skins, usually procured from Indians, and a few +rude tools, they soon accomplished wonders.</p> + +<p>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 outfit, present a neat and trim +appearance. Follow him to the point of his destination, +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 harness, besides his +own clothing. Though he now presents 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 +not be more heartfelt and sincerely cordial. It is amusing +to see the raw-hide 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page112" id="page112"></a>[pg 112]</span> +are almost synonymous terms; at least, the one suggests +the other, and therefore they are of the same brotherhood. +The traveler in these regions of this day fails not +to learn and appreciate its value. It has not only furnished +material 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.</p> + +<p>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 for +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 sufferings from hunger had +made them so determined in the work of procuring +game, that in a few days they possessed meat sufficient +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page113" id="page113"></a>[pg 113]</span> +to load down all their pack animals. They now thought +about returning to Fort Hall. Their pace, however, +rendered so by their weighty game, was very slow. +Their old enemies, the Blackfeet Indians, had discovered +them while engaged in this hunt. They followed them +on the march to the Fort, the trappers being wholly unaware +of their presence; in fact, the idea of hostile Indians +had not troubled their thoughts.</p> + +<p>Two or three nights after they arrived at the Fort, +taking advantage of a dark evening, the Indians deprived +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 <i>corral</i><a id="footnotetag12" name="footnotetag12"></a><a href="#footnote12"><sup>12</sup></a> belonging to the +station. A sentinel was put 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 morning, 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page114" id="page114"></a>[pg 114]</span> +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 and +certain death. This successful theft was, no doubt, considered +by the Indians a cause for great rejoicing. 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 receiving 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 remained +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.</p> + +<p>This tribe of Indians, the Blackfeet, whose meddlesome +dispositions have so frequently brought them in contact +with Kit Carson in such and dissimilar affairs, occupy +the country on the Yellow Stone River and about the +head waters of the Missouri. There are other tribes in +close proximity, the most important of which is 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page115" id="page115"></a>[pg 115]</span> +of the ravages of the small pox, heretofore alluded to +and which prevailed the year previous, they had lost at +least fifty per cent. The Indian computations of 1850, +according to Brownell, give their numbers at only about +thirteen thousand. 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 surpassed by the Camanches; capable of +great endurance; and, usually well fitted as to arms, +dress, horse trappings, <i>et cætera</i>, 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 inquisitive 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 of North and South America. On +pages 465-6, Mr. Brownell comes to the defence of the +Crow tribe of Indians, which, up to that time, had been +characterized 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 contiguous +tribes are the horse stealers. The Crows, it will be +remembered, are more particularly inhabitants of the +mountainous regions. The Blackfeet have ever been +their sworn and implacable foes. Their burials of the +hatchet have been few and far between, and never in +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page116" id="page116"></a>[pg 116]</span> +deep soil. It is not, therefore, to be wondered at that +the Blackfeet reputation should extend to the Crows; +but, although circumstances exist which condemn the +latter, they are few in number compared with the sins +laid by the traders and trappers at the tent-doors of the former.</p> + +<p>After the lapse of one month McCoy made his appearance +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 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 management 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 were to take the +beaver and provide game for food. The latter to guard +their property and cook. The trappers were now in the +midst of their sworn foes, the Blackfeet Indians. They +felt themselves sufficiently strong and were desirous to +pay 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 belonging to the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page117" id="page117"></a>[pg 117]</span> +Crow Tribe. They informed the whites that the small +pox was making terrible havoc with the Blackfeet +Indians. Thousands were dying and fears were entertained +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.</p> + +<p>In conjunction with the main body of the Crow nation +they proceeded to a well protected valley and erected +their lodges, making themselves as comfortable as possible +under the circumstances. As the season advanced, +the cold became more severe, until at last, it was more +intense than ever before experienced 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 cottonwood +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 Rocky Mountains, when suffering +from hunger, are often driven to the extremity of +eating this material. For miles, not unfrequently, the +traveler discovers these trees denuded of their bark, after a +party has passed through on their way to find the buffalo. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page118" id="page118"></a>[pg 118]</span> +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, feed it to them but sparingly.</p> + +<p>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 valleys and constantly +standing guard that the trappers succeeded in keeping them off.</p> + +<p>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 dispatched 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 trapped 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page119" id="page119"></a>[pg 119]</span> +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 over estimated. They were still nearly as strong, +and in character, 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 +insults at their hands not to desire the avenging of their +wrongs and to punish them by way of retaliation. During +the whole winter, and, in fact, from the time the +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.</p> + +<p>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, was 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 decampment. +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 commander of +this party, Kit Carson was unanimously elected. The +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page120" id="page120"></a>[pg 120]</span> +fifty-five men left behind under Mr. Fontenelle had the +onerous duty of guarding the animals 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.</p> + +<p>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 commenced +retreating in good order. For three consecutive +hours they heroically received a series of these furious +and deadly assaults without offering much resistance. +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 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 desperate 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, however, rallied once more and +charged so manfully that the trappers were forced to +retreat. In this latter engagement 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, seeing the accident, instantly hurried +forward to take Cotton'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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page121" id="page121"></a>[pg 121]</span> +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 which 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 +demanded and received from them their last wild war-whoop.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width:80%;"><a href="images/120-121.jpg"><img width="100%" src="images/120-121.jpg" alt="Kit Carson's eagle" /></a><p>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.—<span class="sc">Page 120.</span></p></div> + +<p>When Kit Carson fired, his horse, being under no +restraint, became frightened and dashed away, leaving +his brave rider on foot. Kit however instantly comprehended +his position. The fallen horseman had succeeded +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 rejoined the +main body of his men. The runaway horse, after quite +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page122" id="page122"></a>[pg 122]</span> +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 distant from the position +taken up by the trappers. The arrival of the reserve +was a great relief to the advance, because, they were +tired of fighting without ammunition. Having well +filled their ammunition pouches they once more became +eager for the affray. Everything being in readiness, +with a cheer, they started on foot to attack and dislodge +the enemy. In a few moments 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 some 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 dislodge the bold savage. The power of +powder in the hands of skillful men soon began to assert +its superiority in the battle, and when once the Indians +commenced to waver, it was all over with them. Their +first wavering 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page123" id="page123"></a>[pg 123]</span> +settled all outstanding accounts with the Blackfeet +Indians, for they had killed a large number of their +warriors and wounded many more. On their side three +men only were killed and a few severely wounded.</p> + +<p>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 country +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 accumulated rapidly.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>Besides the usual traders and trappers, the party met +at this rendezvous some missionaries and a distinguished +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 his acquaintance."</p> + +<p>Among the missionaries was "Old Father De Smidt," +as he afterwards came to be familiarly called. This +gentleman is at present well known as being a leading +literary and religious man at St. Louis, Missouri. 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page124" id="page124"></a>[pg 124]</span> +untiring zeal for the good of all with whom he came into +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.</p> + +<p>In twenty days after the camp at the rendezvous was +formed, it broke up again into small parties. Kit Carson, +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 expedition 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 owning 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 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.<a id="footnotetag13" name="footnotetag13"></a><a href="#footnote13"><sup>13</sup></a></p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page125" id="page125"></a>[pg 125]</span> +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 during their earliest years. It is only +after much practice, however, that they become expert.</p> + +<p>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 handsomely +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 season 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 doubtless see a contrast between +the Kit Carson renowned as a trapper and hunter +and the Kit Carson who, at 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 arduous office of Hunter to +the Fort. The task of supplying, 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 officer. The inducements were so tempting, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page126" id="page126"></a>[pg 126]</span> +the task so congenial with his feelings, and, withal, the +urgent persuasions 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.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page127" id="page127"></a>[pg 127]</span> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER VI.</h2> + +<blockquote><p> +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 fight +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 Country—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. +</p></blockquote> + + +<p>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 existed in +large numbers and their success in trapping was excellent.</p> + +<p>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 of its occupants started for the Rendezvous, this +year held on the Popoayhi, a branch of the Wind River.</p> + +<p>In the fall, most of the trappers went to the country +which lies in the immediate neighborhood of the Yellow +Stone River. Having trapped all the streams there, they +went into winter quarters on that stream.</p> + +<p>Nothing was heard of their sworn enemies, the Blackfeet +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page128" id="page128"></a>[pg 128]</span> +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 stronghold +of their foes. Without waiting to follow up the +signs they immediately retraced their steps and informed +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 judgment. Soon after commencing +their march, the company fell in with a scouting party +of the enemy in the vicinity of the spot where the fresh +signs had been discovered. 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 the Indians, when, a regular fight was instantly +commenced. After quite a spirited contest, the Indians +gave way and retreated, 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 trappers 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 having quietly given them the slip during the night.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page129" id="page129"></a>[pg 129]</span> + +<p>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 fortification +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 commenced. +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 +sentinel duty. Near their camp there was a very lofty +hill which commanded a fine view of the surrounding +country. Upon this eminence they posted a sentinel +throughout 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 preparations 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page130" id="page130"></a>[pg 130]</span> +been a wise one. The order was immediately given to +erect strong 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 impregnable 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 trappers, 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 warriors. 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 +frightful 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 enmity 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 history 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.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page131" id="page131"></a>[pg 131]</span> + +<p>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 +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. Nothing, 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 appeared 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.</p> + +<p>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 +departed 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.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page132" id="page132"></a>[pg 132]</span> + +<p>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 "Northwest +Fur Company." With this band he trapped to +the head of Salmon River. Thence they went to Malade +River, 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, indicating 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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>Kit and his men remained one night with Gale. On +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page133" id="page133"></a>[pg 133]</span> +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 retreat. +They did so, succeeding in joining their comrades 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 assailants. 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 second charge. This time the +savages came on with unearthly 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 bleeding or dying for nearly every shot fired. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page134" id="page134"></a>[pg 134]</span> +It was very fortunate that Kit had chosen this position, +for the engagement 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 invariably +caused the savages to beat a hasty retreat. +Before the next attack the trappers were ready for them +with reloaded rifles. At last, as if driven to desperation, +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 dislodge +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.</p> + +<p>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 defensive measures were +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page135" id="page135"></a>[pg 135]</span> +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 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.</p> + +<p>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 the North Fork of the Missouri. +They soon accomplished their journey and began 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 winter +passed away so quietly that not a single incident occurred +beyond the usual routine which the imagination +of the reader can easily supply. It was quite cold that +season, and the snow fell to a great depth. Everything +however was arranged as best conduced to comfort, and +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page136" id="page136"></a>[pg 136]</span> +the trappers found a pleasant and congenial exercise in +hunting to supply their daily wants.</p> + +<p>The winter seasons in the Rocky Mountains are usually +fearful and severe. There, snow storms form mountains +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 far these 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.</p> + +<p>To the traveler whose taste has led him to wander +along the "Great back bones," or vertebræ, of the two +hemispheres, preparing the mind to draw truthful contrast, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page137" id="page137"></a>[pg 137]</span> +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 reminiscences 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 refreshing sight both to the physical and +mental eye. They appear as if descending from the heavens +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page138" id="page138"></a>[pg 138]</span> +to the surface of the earth, perpendicularly, as +though intended 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? As yet scientific +research, on questions concerning the Rocky Mountains, +is comparatively speaking, dumb. But science will +soon press forward in her heavenly ordained mission, +borne upon the shoulders of some youthful hero, and once +more the wise book-men of the gown and slipper, who, +surrounded with their tomes on tomes of learned digests, +are fast approaching the hour when they had better prepare +their last wills and testaments, will again be distanced +in the race and doomed to argue technicalities. 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 interesting +race, in rich contrast with wonderfully moulded +masses of earth and stone, covered with a medley of green +foliage and white snow, let him go to the Alps.</p> + +<p>In the following spring Kit Carson, accompanied by +only one trapper, started out to hunt the streams in +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page139" id="page139"></a>[pg 139]</span> +the vicinity of Big Snake River. The Utah nation of +Indians inhabit this country; and, with them, Kit Carson +stood on a friendly footing. The business of trapping +was therefore carried on without fear of molestation. +The labors of the two were crowned with great success.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>Kit Carson made only a short stop at this Fort. As +soon as his fur was disposed of, he immediately organized +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 New Park, where they finished their trapping +operations and returned to Robidoux's Fort. Here Kit +again found a purchaser for his furs; 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 gradually ruled at the great emporiums +of Europe and America. The skill of the manufacturer +had substituted a material for the making of +hats which, while it was cheaper, pleased the great race +of hat-wearers. The beaver itself was becoming scarce, +owing to their being so diligently hunted. It was evident +to Kit Carson and many of his mountaineer companions +that their occupation was gradually becoming +less profitable and that it would soon drive them into +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page140" id="page140"></a>[pg 140]</span> +other employments. Acting upon this impression Kit +Carson, accompanied by "Old Bill Williams,"<a id="footnotetag14" name="footnotetag14"></a><a href="#footnote14"><sup>14</sup></a> 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 about one hundred +miles above the Fort, where, in later years, was built a +settlement called St. Charles.<a id="footnotetag15" name="footnotetag15"></a><a href="#footnote15"><sup>15</sup></a></p> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page141" id="page141"></a>[pg 141]</span> + +<p>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 remainder +of the mountaineers, continued on their course, and, in +three days time, were safely lodged within the walls 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, consequently, +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 received +and provided for by its noble-hearted proprietors; +and, for some time enjoyed a respite from all their troubles.</p> + +<p>This mountaineer Mitchell, full of eccentricities of +character, has seen the ups and downs of a frontiersman +during a long and eventful life. He once joined the +Camanche nation and became one of their braves.<a id="footnotetag16" name="footnotetag16"></a><a href="#footnote16"><sup>16</sup></a></p> + +<p>In this capacity he won great renown by the efficient +and active part he took in several engagements between +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page142" id="page142"></a>[pg 142]</span> +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 bye and +sought out his old comrades, the trappers, to whom he +ever afterwards proved faithful. About two 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 political 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. 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 mountaineer, 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 contemplated 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:</p> + +<p>"After a lapse of many years, I thought I should +like to see the <i>whites</i> again; so, I was going to the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page143" id="page143"></a>[pg 143]</span> +States. But the sample I've seen in Kansas is enough +to disgust <i>a man</i> 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.</p> + +<p>Since the time when Kit Carson first joined a trapping +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 regard, +this extraordinary man as one raised up by Providence +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 plays +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, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page144" id="page144"></a>[pg 144]</span> +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 Mountains. In this time +he had wandered over a wild territory equal in its dimensions +to nearly all of the empires, 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 undertakings. 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 examples, if indeed any, where the physical +training, practical skill and knowledge of a country, +as possessed by Kit Carson, have been united with +scholastic lore. At all events, in the wisdom of that +special Providence which was intending the gold mines +of California to be consecrated to the advancement of +American civilization, with its religious freedom, personal +liberties and sacred literature, the novitiate of Kit +Carson 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page145" id="page145"></a>[pg 145]</span> +accomplish His call, through all the labyrinths of Science, +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.</p> + +<p>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 others. +It is not detracting from the merits of any one to assert +that, without frontiers-men 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 recent 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 doubt in some measure to bad advice, +we can thus more easily form a correct judgment +of the hardships which Kit Carson has been called upon +to endure and the wisdom or skill which he has 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 out in bolder relief. +Out of the whole catalogue of labors, from which +man, to gain an honest livelihood has selected, there is +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page146" id="page146"></a>[pg 146]</span> +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.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page147" id="page147"></a>[pg 147]</span> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER VII.</h2> + +<blockquote><p> +Kit Carson is employed as Hunter to Bent's Fort—His Career for Eight Years—Messrs. +Bent and St. Vrain—The commencement of his Acquaintance with John +C. Fremont on a Steamboat—Is employed as a Guide by the Great Explorer—The +Journey—Arrival at Fort Laramie—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 carries a Letter for them to Santa Fé—Indians +on the Route—His safe Arrival—Amijos' advance Guard massacred by +the Texians—The one Survivor—The Retreat—Kit Carson returns to Bent's +Fort—His Adventures with the Utahs and narrow escape from Death—The Texians +disarmed—The Express Ride performed. +</p></blockquote> + + +<p>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 promptitude 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 satisfactorily performed. It +is but seldom that such a fact can be stated of any employee, +no matter what the service. Here, however, was +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page148" id="page148"></a>[pg 148]</span> +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 Carson 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.</p> + +<p>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 was plenty; but, it would often +happen that bands of Indians, which were always loitering +about the trading post, would precede him in the +chase, thereby rendering his labors oftentimes 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 unrivalled 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 which he is capable +of performing with powder and lead, were completely +carried away in their admiration of the man. Among +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page149" id="page149"></a>[pg 149]</span> +the Arrapahoes, Cheyennes, Kiowas and Camanches, Kit +Carson was always an honored guest whenever 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 unrestrained delight. +When arrayed in his rough hunting 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.</p> + +<p>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 character +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 grazing, +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 lowness of their +heads, gives a rocking swing to their gait. If a herd, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page150" id="page150"></a>[pg 150]</span> +when in full motion, have to cross a road on 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. At night they +are quite systematic in forming their camps. In the +centre are placed the cows and calves; while, to guard +against the wolves, large numbers of which always +follow them, they station on their outposts, the old bulls. +The age to which a buffalo may attain is not known; +but, it is certain that they are generally 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 freedom, they are reduced to +mere objects of curiosity.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page151" id="page151"></a>[pg 151]</span> +by the fineness of their robes and 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 mane +of the hump is intersected 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 +depended 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.</p> + +<p>It would doubtless afford many a page of exciting +interest could we carry the reader through all the varied +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, perchance, 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page152" id="page152"></a>[pg 152]</span> +for dear life, each of such could not fail in giving interest +to the general reader. We are forced, against our own +conviction of the duty we owe the public as Kit Carson's +chosen Biographer, to pass by all such acts of +his personal daring and triumph because of his own +unwillingness to relate them for publication. Notwithstanding +our urgent requests, backed up by the advice +and interference of friends, Kit Carson is inflexibly +opposed to relating such acts of himself. He is even +more willing to speak of his failures, though such are +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 considers that they are uninteresting minutiæ +which have pertained to the every-day business of his +life and no persuasion can induce him to enter upon +their relation. Not so when he is entertaining some of +the brave chiefs of the Indian nations whose friendship +he has won by his brave deeds. If they are his guests, +or he himself theirs, then their delight to hear kindles a +pride in his breast to relate. He knows that he will not, +by them, be called a boaster.</p> + +<p>Before quitting the mountains, Kit Carson married an +Indian girl to whom he was most devotedly attached. +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 Arkansas, were devoted to +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page153" id="page153"></a>[pg 153]</span> +the advancement of his child. On arriving at maturity +she married and with her husband settled in California.</p> + +<p>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 surrounded 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 present sway which he holds 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 rewards to those whose +lives are patterns of honor and chastity. The Indian +woman, concerning whom no truthful tale of dereliction +can be told, when she arrives at the requisite age, is +invested with great power in her tribe. One of their +ancient customs, well authenticated, 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 costume 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page154" id="page154"></a>[pg 154]</span> +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 extremity and any of them who aspired to +the possession of the chaplet was at liberty, having first +uncovered 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 always live in the +hereafter, in sight of the Happy Hunting 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 exposé of their lewdness. To kill an +innocent girl was equally a matter which would be forever +avenged by the Great Spirit.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page155" id="page155"></a>[pg 155]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>Mr. Bent was appointed, by the proper authority, the +first Civil Governor of New Mexico, after that large 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 treacherously +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 victim, 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 +forgotten the friend whom they esteemed and respected, +and will avenge his death if ever the opportunity offers.</p> + +<p>Cerin St. Vrain, the surviving partner of this celebrated +trading firm was equally noted. Upon the declaration +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page156" id="page156"></a>[pg 156]</span> +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 extensively 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 recognized the superior skill of Kit +Carson as a hunter; and, for his subsequent success in +life, Kit Carson is much indebted to him. St. Vrain is +one of the oldest mountaineers now living; and, as such, +he is viewed by his old and new associates in the light of a father.</p> + +<p>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 frequently +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."</p> + +<p>It was after such an experience as we have endeavored +to paint by the simple tale of his life thus far, that Kit +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 possession +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page157" id="page157"></a>[pg 157]</span> +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 Missouri, he +parted from his <i>compagnons de voyage</i> 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 manhood 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 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 engaged +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page158" id="page158"></a>[pg 158]</span> +passage upon the first steamboat which was bound up the Missouri River.</p> + +<p>We cannot resist the impulse which here struggles for +utterance. Look upon that little steamboat as it ascends +the mighty Missouri bearing in its bosom the man who +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 steamboat, 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 history 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 +sixteen years of mountaineer skill and experience were +required by one of the master workmen of American +Engineering, about to enter upon the exploration of inland North America.</p> + +<p>Kit Carson wandered over the boat, studying its +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page159" id="page159"></a>[pg 159]</span> +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 +appearance of his fellow-passengers; occasionally, modestly +addressed an acquaintance, for some present +were known to him; and, finally singled out from +among the strangers a man on whose face he thought +he discovered the marks of true courage, manhood +and nobility of character. The impression which Kit +Carson had thus received, was nothing fleeting. The +eagle eye, the forehead, 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 +admiration and respect. While on this boat Kit Carson +learned the fact that the man, whom he had thus studied, +was Lieutenant John C. Fremont of the U.S. corps of +topographical 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 Lieutenant +Fremont and modestly introducing himself, said:</p> + +<p>"Sir! I have been some time in the mountains and +think I can guide you to any point there you wish to reach."</p> + +<p>Lieutenant Fremont's answer indicated his satisfaction +in making the acquaintance which Kit Carson had offered +him and that he would make inquiries concerning his +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page160" id="page160"></a>[pg 160]</span> +capabilities of performing the duty for which he offered himself.</p> + +<p>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 was to +survey the South Pass, and take the altitude of the +highest peaks of the Rocky Mountains, besides gathering +all the collateral information which they could. The +party had been chiefly collected in St. Louis. It consisted +of twenty-two Creole and Canadian voyageurs; +Mr. Charles Preuss, a native of Germany, whose education +rendered him a master in the art of topographical +sketching, and, towards whom, Colonel Fremont has +always extended high and just encomium; Henry Brant, +a son of Colonel J.H. Brant, of St. Louis, nineteen +years of age; young Randolph Benton, a son of Colonel +Benton, twelve years of age; Mr. L. Maxwell, 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:</p> + +<p>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; +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page161" id="page161"></a>[pg 161]</span> +at noon there was a halt of one or two hours; 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.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width:80%;"><a href="images/160-161.jpg"><img width="100%" src="images/160-161.jpg" alt="Buffalo Hunt.—Page 161." /></a><span class="sc">Buffalo Hunt.—Page 161.</span></div> + +<p>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 redeem +our promise and allow Col. Fremont to describe his own +impressions in his first Buffalo Hunt, in which Kit Carson +and Mr. L. Maxwell were his companions and guides. Col. Fremont says:</p> + +<p>"A few miles brought us into the midst of the buffalo, +swarming in immense numbers over the plains, where +they had left scarcely a blade of grass standing. Mr. +Preuss, who 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 traveler +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 are feeding; and everywhere they were in motion. +Here and there a huge old bull was rolling in +the grass, and clouds of dust rose in the air from various +parts of the bands, each the scene of some obstinate +fight. Indians and buffalo make the poetry and life of +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page162" id="page162"></a>[pg 162]</span> +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 '<i>avance donc! +enfant de garce!</i>' shouts and songs resounded from +every part of the line, and our evening camp was +always the commencement of a feast, which terminated +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 <i>en appolas</i>, on +sticks around the fire, and the guard were never without +company. With pleasant weather 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 today. +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 runaway after a hard chase. +He was on the point of shooting him, to avoid the loss +of his bridle (a handsomely 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 retaken. 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 several men in pursuit, and remained +in camp, in the hope of recovering him; but +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page163" id="page163"></a>[pg 163]</span> +lost the afternoon to no purpose, as we did not see him +again. Astronomical observations placed us in longitude +100° 05' 47", latitude 40° 49' 55".</p> + +<p>"<i>July 1.</i>—As we were riding quietly along the bank, +a grand herd of buffalo, some seven or eight hundred +in number, came crowding up from the river, where +they had 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 +opportunity 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 agitation, 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 nothing 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.</p> + +<p>"A crowd of bulls, as usual, brought up the rear, and +every now and then some of them faced about, and then +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page164" id="page164"></a>[pg 164]</span> +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, however, 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 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.</p> + +<p>"My horse was a trained hunter, famous in the west +under the name of Proveau, 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 termination of the long hair, and passing near +the heart. She fell headlong at the report of the gun, +and checking 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page165" id="page165"></a>[pg 165]</span> +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 nothing, 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 entrance—the horse almost leaping +upon them. In a few 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 tremendous 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 only one of the hunters, nearly out of +sight, and the long dark line of our caravan crawling +along, three or four miles distant."</p> + +<p>The trail which the party left behind them now forms +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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page166" id="page166"></a>[pg 166]</span> +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 Indians 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.</p> + +<p>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 opinion +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 expedition +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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page167" id="page167"></a>[pg 167]</span> +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 opportunely arrived at the South +Pass of the Rocky Mountains without, in any way, being +annoyed with Indians, not even meeting any on the route.</p> + +<p>He had now reached the field where his chief labors +were to commence. Without loss of time he set earnestly +about his work, making and recording such observations +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 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 uncomfortable 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 commanders, the mountain party +was detailed, being fourteen 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page168" id="page168"></a>[pg 168]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>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 command of this +party. The remainder consisted of Colonel 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 hundred feet above him. +The arduous labors of the 14th 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 succeeded. His own words in describing +this ascent are as follows:</p> + +<p>"'At intervals, we reached places where a number +of springs gushed from the rocks, and about 1,800 +feet above the lakes came to the snow line. From +this point our progress was uninterrupted climbing. +Hitherto, I had worn a pair of thick moccasins, with +soles of <i>parflêche</i>; but here I put on a light thin pair, +which I had brought for the purpose, as now the use +of our toes became necessary to a further advance. I +availed myself of a sort of comb of the mountain, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page169" id="page169"></a>[pg 169]</span> +which stood against the wall like a buttress, and which +the wind and the solar radiation, joined to the steepness +of the smooth rock, had kept almost entirely free +from snow. Up this I made my way rapidly. Our +cautious method of advancing in the outset had spared +my strength; and, with the exception of a slight disposition +to headache, I felt no remains of yesterday's +illness. In a few minutes we reached a point where +the buttress was overhanging, and there was no other +way of surmounting the difficulty than by passing +around one side of it, which was the face of a vertical +precipice of several hundred feet.'</p> + +<p>"<i>Parflêche</i> is the name given to buffalo hide. The +Indian women prepare it by scraping and drying. It +is exceedingly tough and hard, and receives its name +from the circumstance that it cannot be pierced by +arrows or spears. The entire dress of Fremont and +his party, on their ascent to the 'top of America,' consisted +of a blue flannel shirt, free and open at the neck, +the collar turning down over a black silk handkerchief +tied loosely, blue cloth pantaloons, a slouched broad-brimmed +hat, and moccasins as above described. It +was well adapted to climbing—quite light, and at the +same time warm, and every way comfortable.</p> + +<p>"'Putting hands and feet in the crevices between the +blocks, I succeeded in getting over it, and, when I +reached the top, found my companions in a small valley +below. Descending to them, we continued climbing, +and in a short time reached the crest. I sprang +upon the summit, and another step would have precipitated +me into an immense snow-field five hundred feet +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page170" id="page170"></a>[pg 170]</span> +below. To the edge of this field was a sheer icy precipice; +and then, with a gradual fall, the field sloped +off for about a mile, until it struck the foot of another +lower ridge. I stood on a narrow crest, about three +feet in width, with an inclination of about 20° N. 51° E. +As soon as I had gratified the first feelings of curiosity, +I descended, and each man ascended in his turn, for I +would only allow one at a time to mount the unstable +and precarious slab, which it seemed a breath would +hurl into the abyss below. We mounted the barometer +in the snow of the summit, and, fixing a ramrod +in a crevice, unfurled the national flag, to wave in the +breeze where never flag waved before. During our +morning's ascent, we met no sign of animal life, except +a small bird having the appearance of a sparrow. A +stillness the most profound and a terrible solitude +forced themselves constantly on the mind as the great +features of the place. Here, on the summit, where +the stillness was absolute, unbroken by any sound, and +the solitude complete, we thought ourselves beyond +the region of animated life; but while we were sitting +on the rock, a solitary bee (<i>bombus terrestris</i>, the humble +bee) came winging his flight from the eastern valley, +and lit on the knee of one of the men.</p> + +<p>"'Around us, the whole scene had one main striking +feature, which was that of terrible convulsion. Parallel +to its length, the ridge was split into chasms and fissures, +between which rose the thin, lofty walls, terminated +with slender minarets and columns, which are +correctly represented in the view from the camp on +Island Lake. According to the barometer, the little +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page171" id="page171"></a>[pg 171]</span> +crest of the wall on which we stood was three thousand +five hundred and seventy feet above that place, and +two thousand seven hundred and eighty above the +little lakes at the bottom, immediately at our feet. +Our camp at the Two Hills (an astronomical station) +bore south 3° east, which, with a bearing afterward +obtained from a fixed position, enabled us to locate +the peak. The bearing of the <i>Trois Tetons</i> was north +50° west, and the direction of the central ridge of the +Wind River Mountains south 39° east. The summit +rock was gneiss, succeeded by sienitic gneiss. Sienite +and feldspar succeeded in our descent to the snow line, +where we found a feldspathic granite. I had remarked +that the noise produced by the explosion of our pistols +had the usual degree of loudness, but was not in the +least prolonged, expiring almost instantaneously. Having +now made what observations our means afforded, +we proceeded to descend. We had accomplished an +object of laudable ambition, and beyond the strict +order of our instructions. We had climbed the loftiest +peak of the Rocky Mountains, and looked down upon +the snow a thousand feet below, and, standing where +never human foot had stood before, felt the exultation +of first explorers. It was about two o'clock when we +left the summit; and when we reached the bottom, +the sun had already sunk behind the wall, and the day +was drawing to a close. It would have been pleasant +to have lingered here and on the summit longer; but +we hurried away as rapidly as the ground would permit, +for it was an object to regain our party as soon +as possible, not knowing what accident the next hour might bring forth.'"</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page172" id="page172"></a>[pg 172]</span> + +<p>This peak was found, by barometrical observation, to +be <i>thirteen thousand five hundred and seventy</i> feet above +the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. It bears the name of +the Great Explorer, being called Fremont's Peak.</p> + +<p>The return trip was now commenced, all of the objects +of the expedition having been successfully accomplished. +The party again reached Fort Laramie in 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. Fremont, and has ever +occupied since then a prominent and permanent place +in his esteem. At Laramie, Kit Carson's labors were +done. There he bid his commander good bye and set +out for New Mexico. Fremont returned to the United +States in safety. Thus terminated the first of his great explorations.</p> + +<p>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 Señora Josepha Jarimilla. Of this +lady it is sufficient to say that for her many virtues and +personal beauty she is justly esteemed by a large circle +of acquaintance. By this wife Kit Carson has three +children, to whom he is devotedly attached.</p> + +<p>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 Fé, Kit and his companions came upon the +encampment of Captain Cook, belonging to the United +States Army—who was in command of four companies +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page173" id="page173"></a>[pg 173]</span> +of United States Dragoons. Captain Cook informed +Carson's party that in his rear was traveling a train +of wagons belonging to General Armijo, a wealthy Mexican.</p> + +<p>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 +reported at that time and believed, that a large body +of Texians were waiting on the road to plunder and +murder 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 happen 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 Fé. This letter apprised the General of the +danger to which his men and property were exposed 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, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page174" id="page174"></a>[pg 174]</span> +then hostile, were scattered along his intended route. +He was not, however, turned from his duty by this danger, +but he resumed his journey immediately. At this +last-named place his friend, Mr. Bent, kindly furnished +him with a fleet and magnificent horse, which he led, so +that, should he find himself in peril, he might mount this +fresh animal and make his escape.</p> + +<p>By watching for signs and being continually on the +alert, Kit Carson discovered the Indians and their village +without exposing his own person to view. He immediately +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 <i>Alcalde</i> of the town to be forwarded to Santa Fé. +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 caravan and that +the General himself, in command of six hundred more, +was soon to follow after. It was afterwards learned that +this unfortunate band of one hundred men went as far +as the Arkansas River, but could not find any traces of +the train of wagons, it not having completed that much of +its journey; therefore, they commenced to retrace their +steps, but had proceeded only a few miles, when they +were suddenly attacked by the Texians, 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 Fé; and, at Cold Springs +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page175" id="page175"></a>[pg 175]</span> +came upon the camp of Armijo, to whom he reported +proceedings. The narration of this sad story so dampened +the courage of the General and his men as to cause +them to make a precipitous retreat. The spot where +this slaughter took place has since gone by the name of +the "battle ground" and many are the bleached human +bones that are still to be found there.</p> + +<p>It was during Carson's stay of 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, thinking +perhaps, that Kit Carson might reach the train even if he +himself did not. On the answer coming into Carson's +hands, he selected a Mexican boy to accompany him and +was quickly on the road again. They had left Taos two +days' journey behind them and had reached the River +<i>Trinchera</i> (for they were traveling via the <i>Sangero de +Christo</i> Pass and Bent's Fort) when they unexpectedly +met four Indian warriors. Eat Carson 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 acting 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page176" id="page176"></a>[pg 176]</span> +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 +Indians, seeing the fate of their companion, hastened to +his rescue. When they reached talking distance, Kit, +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.</p> + +<p>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 Texians had been caught by Captain Cook +and his dragoons in United States Territory, and had been +disarmed. This had immediately relieved the conductors +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page177" id="page177"></a>[pg 177]</span> +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. Gen. Armijo's letter +of instruction was, accordingly, left by Carson with Mr. +Bent who promised to forward it to Santa Fé by the first +favorable opportunity. To pursue and overtake the wagons +would be nothing but labor thrown away. All danger had disappeared.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page178" id="page178"></a>[pg 178]</span> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER VIII.</h2> + +<blockquote><p> +Kit Carson visits Fremont's Camp—Goes on the Second Exploring Expedition—The +Necessary Arrangements—Trip to Salt Lake—Explorations 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—Tlamath +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 Sutter's Fort in a Destitute Condition—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 Adventure—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. +</p></blockquote> + + +<p>A few days before Kit Carson's arrival at Bent's Fort, +Col. Fremont had passed by and had informed the Traders +there that he was bound on another Exploring 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 +see again his old commander and not with a view of joining +his second expedition, Col. Fremont insisted so +strongly upon having Kit accompany him that he acquiesced in doing so.</p> + +<p>For Col. Fremont, Kit Carson has the greatest admiration. +He knows, as well as any man living, his bravery, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page179" id="page179"></a>[pg 179]</span> +his talents and the many splendid qualities of his mind +and heart. The question will naturally arise, does Kit +Carson indorse the political creed upon which Col. Fremont +accepted the nomination for the Presidency of the +United States? The best answer and the one which is +true, will be: Kit Carson considers it one of the highest +honors and greatest blessings to be a citizen of the United +States. He is willing to incur any danger for his country's +good, even if the sacrifice of his life is the alternative. +He has spent all his life in the wilds of America +where news is always as scarce an article as luxuries of +the table and fire-side, and, where the political strifes of +factions and parties are not known. The inference will +therefore be plainly apparent, that his curiosity does not +lead him to examine very attentively the minute workings +of political machinery. He is not a man to be +swayed by friendship from performing any act which the +interests of his country seem to require at his hands. +His political bias will, therefore, remain a matter of conjecture +until such time, if his life is spared to see it, when +New Mexico shall be admitted into the Union as a State. +So far, he has never lived where he could exercise the +right of franchise. The time must come which shall entitle +him to a Presidential vote before he decides what +political party shall count him as its supporter.</p> + +<p>Soon after Kit Carson was again enrolled under the +command of Col. Fremont, he received orders to return +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 beasts of burden which can be successfully used in +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page180" id="page180"></a>[pg 180]</span> +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 journeyed +first to Soda Springs and thence on to St. Vrain's Fort, +which was located on the South Fork of the Platte. At +this point, the expedition was joined by Major Fitzpatrick +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 arrangements for +the arduous task in view were nearly complete.</p> + +<p>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 command 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 Fremont +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 marched 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 New 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 by emigrants and which leads to Soda Springs +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page181" id="page181"></a>[pg 181]</span> +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 supplies as were required. After +procuring these necessities, Kit Carson, with one companion +and his pack 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. No doubt our readers will be +pleased to enjoy Colonel Fremont's account of this lake, +its scenery and characteristics. We insert therefore as +much thereof as our space will admit. It was the +twenty-first day of August 1843 that the little party +reached Bear River, which, as has already appeared in +another, part of this work, was the principal tributary +of the Great Salt Lake. At this point of Colonel +Fremont's narrative, he says: "We were now entering +a region which, for us, possessed a strange and extraordinary +interest. We were upon the waters of the +famous lake which forms a salient point among the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page182" id="page182"></a>[pg 182]</span> +remarkable geographical features of the country, and +around which the vague and superstitious accounts of +the trappers had thrown a delightful obscurity, which +we anticipated pleasure in dispelling, but which, in the +meantime, left a crowded field for the exercise of our imagination.</p> + +<p>"In our occasional conversations with the few old +hunters who had visited the region, it had been a +subject of frequent speculation; and the wonders +which they related were not the less agreeable because +they were highly exaggerated and impossible.</p> + +<p>"Hitherto this lake had been seen only by trappers, +who were wandering through the country in search of +new beaver streams, caring very little for geography; +its islands had never been visited; and none were to +be found who had entirely made the circuit of its +shores; and no instrumental observations, or geographical +survey of any description, had ever been made +anywhere in the neighboring region. It was generally +supposed that it had no visible outlet; but, among the +trappers, including those in my own camp, were many +who believed that somewhere on its surface was a +terrible whirlpool, through which its waters found their +way to the ocean by some subterranean communication. +All these things had made a frequent subject of +discussion in our desultory conversations around the +fires at night; and my own mind had become tolerably +well filled with their indefinite pictures, and insensibly +colored with their romantic descriptions, which, in the +pleasure of excitement, I was well disposed to believe, +and half expected to realize.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page183" id="page183"></a>[pg 183]</span> + +<p>"'In about six miles' travel from our encampment, we +reached one of the points in our journey to which we +had always looked forward with great interest—the +famous Beer Springs, which, on account of the effervescing +gas and acid taste, had received their name +from the voyageurs and trappers of the country, who, +in the midst of their rude and hard lives, are fond of +finding some fancied resemblance to the luxuries they +rarely have the good fortune to enjoy.</p> + +<p>"'Although somewhat disappointed in the expectations +which various descriptions had led me to form +of unusual beauty of situation and scenery, I found it +altogether a place of very great interest; and a traveler +for the first time in a volcanic region remains in a +constant excitement, and at every step is arrested by +something remarkable and new. There is a confusion +of interesting objects gathered together in a small +space. Around the place of encampment the Beer +Springs were numerous; but, as far as we could ascertain, +were entirely confined to that locality in the bottom. +In the bed of the river, in front, for a space of +several hundred yards, they were very abundant; the +effervescing gas rising up and agitating the water in +countless bubbling columns. In the vicinity round +about were numerous springs of an entirely different +and equally marked mineral character. In a rather +picturesque spot, about 1,300 yards below our encampment, +and immediately on the river bank, is the most +remarkable spring of the place. In an opening on the +rock, a white column of scattered water is thrown up, +in form like a <i>jet-d'eau</i>, to a variable height of about +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page184" id="page184"></a>[pg 184]</span> +three feet, and, though it is maintained in a constant +supply, its greatest height is attained only at regular +intervals, according to the action of the force below. +It is accompanied by a subterranean noise, which, +together with the motion of the water, makes very +much the impression of a steamboat in motion; and, +without knowing that it had been already previously +so called, we gave to it the name of the Steamboat +Spring. The rock through which it is forced is slightly +raised in a convex manner, and gathered at the opening +into an urn-mouthed form, and is evidently formed +by continued deposition from the water, and colored +bright red by oxide of iron.</p> + +<p>"'It is a hot spring, and the water has a pungent and +disagreeable metallic taste, leaving a burning effect on +the tongue. Within perhaps two yards of the <i>jet d'eau</i>, +is a small hole of about an inch in diameter, through +which, at regular intervals, escapes a blast of hot air +with a light wreath of smoke, accompanied by a regular noise.'</p> + +<p>"As they approached the lake, they passed over a +country of bold and striking scenery, and through +several 'gates,' as they called certain narrow valleys. +The 'standing rock' is a huge column, occupying the +centre of one of these passes. It fell from a height of +perhaps 3,000 feet, and happened to remain in its +present upright position.</p> + +<p>"At last, on the 6th of September, the object for +which their eyes had long been straining was brought to view.</p> + +<p>"'<i>Sept. 6</i>.—This time we reached the butte without +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page185" id="page185"></a>[pg 185]</span> +any difficulty; and, ascending to the summit, immediately +at our feet beheld the object of our anxious +search, the waters of the Inland Sea, stretching in still +and solitary grandeur far beyond the limit of our +vision. It was one of the great points of the exploration; +and as we looked eagerly over the lake in the +first emotions of excited pleasure, I am doubtful if the +followers of Balboa felt more enthusiasms, when, from +the heights of the Andes, they saw for the first time +the great Western Ocean. It was certainly a magnificent +object, and a noble <i>terminus</i> to this part of our +expedition; and to travelers so long shut up among +mountain ranges, a sudden view over the expanse of +silent waters had in it something sublime. Several +large islands raised their high rocky heads out of the +waves; but whether or not they were timbered was +still left to our imagination, as the distance was too +great to determine if the dark hues upon them were +woodland or naked rock. During the day the clouds +had been gathering black over the mountains to the +westward, and while we were looking a storm burst +down with sudden fury upon the lake, and entirely hid +the islands from our view.</p> + +<p>"'On the edge of the stream a favorable spot was +selected in a grove; and felling the timber, we made +a strong <i>corral</i>, or horse-pen, for the animals, and a +little fort for the people who were to remain. We +were now probably in the country of the Utah Indians, +though none reside upon the lake. The India-rubber +boat was repaired with prepared cloth and gum, and +filled with air, in readiness for the next day.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page186" id="page186"></a>[pg 186]</span> + +<p>"'The provisions which Carson had brought with him +being now exhausted, and our stock reduced to a small +quantity of roots, I determined to retain with me only +a sufficient number of men for the execution of our +design; and accordingly seven were sent back to Fort +Hall, under the guidance of François Lajeunesse, who, +having been for many years a trapper in the country, +was an experienced mountaineer.</p> + +<p>"'We formed now but a small family. With Mr. +Preuss and myself, Carson, Bernier, and Basil Lajeunesse +had been selected for the boat expedition—the +first ever attempted on this interior sea; and Badeau, +with Derosier, and Jacob (the colored man), were to +be left in charge of the camp. We were favored with +most delightful weather. To-night there was a brilliant +sunset of golden orange and green, which left the +western sky clear and beautifully pure; but clouds in +the east made me lose an occultation. The summer +frogs were singing around us, and the evening was +very pleasant, with a temperature of 60°—a night of a +more southern autumn. For our supper we had <i>yampah</i>, +the most agreeably flavored of the roots, seasoned +by a small fat duck, which had come in the way of +Jacob's rifle. Around our fire to-night were many +speculations on what to-morrow would bring forth; +and in our busy conjectures we fancied that we should +find every one of the large islands a tangled wilderness +of trees and shrubbery, teeming with game of every +description that the neighboring region afforded, and +which the foot of a white man or Indian had never +violated. Frequently, during the day, clouds had +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page187" id="page187"></a>[pg 187]</span> +rested on the summits of their lofty mountains, and we +believed that we should find clear streams and springs +of fresh water; and we indulged in anticipations of the +luxurious repasts with which we were to indemnify +ourselves for past privations. Neither, in our discussions +were the whirlpool and other mysterious dangers +forgotten, which Indian and hunters' stories attributed +to this unexplored lake. The men had discovered that, +instead of being strongly sewed (like that of the +preceding year, which had so triumphantly rode the +cañons of the Upper Great Platte), our present boat +was only pasted together in a very insecure manner, +the maker having been allowed so little time in the +construction that he was obliged to crowd the labor of +two months into several days. The insecurity of the +boat was sensibly felt by us; and, mingled with the +enthusiasm and excitement that we all felt at the +prospect of an undertaking which had never before +been accomplished, was a certain impression of danger, +sufficient to give a serious character to our conversation. +The momentary view which had been had of +the lake the day before, its great extent and rugged +islands, dimly seen amidst the dark waters in the +obscurity of the sudden storm, were well calculated to +heighten the idea of undefined danger with which the +lake was generally associated.</p> + +<p>"'<i>Sept. 8</i>.—A calm, clear day, with a sunrise temperature +of 41°. In view of our present enterprise, a part +of the equipment of the boat had been made to consist +of three air-tight bags, about three feet long, and capable +each of containing five gallons. These had been +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page188" id="page188"></a>[pg 188]</span> +filled with water the night before, and were now placed +in the boat, with our blankets and instruments, consisting +of a sextant, telescope, spy-glass, thermometer, and barometer.</p> + +<p>"'In the course of the morning we discovered that two +of the cylinders leaked so much as to require one man +constantly at the bellows, to keep them sufficiently full +of air to support the boat. Although we had made a +very early start, we loitered so much on the way—stopping +every now and then, and floating silently +along, to get a shot at a goose or a duck—that it was +late in the day when we reached the outlet. The river +here divided into several branches, filled with fluvials, +and so very shallow that it was with difficulty we could +get the boat along, being obliged to get out and wade. +We encamped on a low point among rushes and young +willows, where there was a quantity of driftwood, +which served for our fires. The evening was mild and +clear; we made a pleasant bed of the young willows; +and geese and ducks enough had been killed for an +abundant supper at night, and for breakfast next morning. +The stillness of the night was enlivened by millions of water-fowl.</p> + +<p>"'<i>Sept. 9</i>.—The day was clear and calm; the thermometer +at sunrise at 49°. As is usual with the trappers +on the eve of any enterprise, our people had made +dreams, and theirs happened to be a bad one—one +which always preceded evil—and consequently they +looked very gloomy this morning; but we hurried +through our breakfast, in order to make an early start, +and have all the day before us for our adventure. The +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page189" id="page189"></a>[pg 189]</span> +channel in a short distance became so shallow that our +navigation was at an end, being merely a sheet of soft +mud, with a few inches of water, and sometimes none +at all, forming the low-water shore of the lake. All +this place was absolutely covered with flocks of screaming +plover. We took off our clothes, and, getting over-board, +commenced dragging the boat—making, by this +operation, a very curious trail, and a very disagreeable +smell in stirring up the mud, as we sank above +the knee at every step. The water here was still fresh, +with only an insipid and disagreeable taste, probably +derived from the bed of fetid mud. After proceeding +in this way about a mile, we came to a small black +ridge on the bottom, beyond which the water became +suddenly salt, beginning gradually to deepen, and the +bottom was sandy and firm. It was a remarkable +division, separating the fresh water of the rivers from +the briny water of the lake, which was entirely <i>saturated</i> +with common salt. Pushing our little vessel +across the narrow boundary, we sprang on board, and +at length were afloat on the waters of the unknown sea.</p> + +<p>"We did not steer for the mountainous islands, but +directed our course towards a lower one, which it had +been decided we should first visit, the summit of which +was formed like the crater at the upper end of Bear +River valley. So long as we could touch the bottom +with our paddles, we were very gay; but gradually, as +the water deepened, we became more still in our frail +batteau of gum cloth distended with air, and with +pasted seams. Although the day was very calm, there +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page190" id="page190"></a>[pg 190]</span> +was a considerable swell on the lake; and there were +white patches of foam on the surface, which were +slowly moving to the southward, indicating the set of +a current in that direction, and recalling the recollection +of the whirlpool stories. The water continued to +deepen as we advanced; the lake becoming almost +transparently clear, of an extremely beautiful bright-green +color; and the spray, which was thrown into the +boat and over our clothes, was directly converted into +a crust of common salt, which covered also our hands +and arms. 'Captain,' said Carson, who for some time +had been looking suspiciously at some whitening appearances +outside the nearest islands 'what are those +yonder?—won't you just take a look with the glass?' +We ceased paddling for a moment, and found them to +be the caps of the waves that were beginning to break +under the force of a strong breeze that was coming up +the lake. The form of the boat seemed to be an admirable +one, and it rode on the waves like a water bird; +but, at the same time, it was extremely slow in its progress. +When we were a little more than half way +across the reach, two of the divisions between the cylinders +gave way, and it required the constant use of +the bellows to keep in a sufficient quantity of air. For +a long time we scarcely seemed to approach our island, +but gradually we worked across the rougher sea of the +open channel, into the smoother water under the lee of +the island, and began to discover that what we took for +a long row of pelicans, ranged on the beach, were only +low cliffs whitened with salt by the spray of the waves; +and about noon we reached the shore, the transparency +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page191" id="page191"></a>[pg 191]</span> +of the water enabling us to see the bottom at a considerable depth.</p> + +<p>"'The cliffs and masses of rock along the shore were +whitened by an incrustation of salt where the waves +dashed up against them; and the evaporating water, +which had been left in holes and hollows on the surface +of the rocks, was covered with a crust of salt +about one-eighth of an inch in thickness.</p> + +<p>"'Carrying with us the barometer and other instruments, +in the afternoon we ascended to the highest +point of the island—a bare rocky peak, 800 feet above +the lake. Standing on the summit, we enjoyed an extended +view of the lake, inclosed in a basin of rugged +mountains, which sometimes left marshy flats and extensive +bottoms between them and the shore, and in +other places came directly down into the water with +bold and precipitous bluffs.</p> + +<p>"'As we looked over the vast expanse of water spread +out beneath us, and strained our eyes along the silent +shores over which hung so much doubt and uncertainty, +and which were so full of interest to us, I could hardly +repress the almost irresistible desire to continue our +exploration; but the lengthening snow on the mountains +was a plain indication of the advancing season, +and our frail linen boat appeared so insecure that I was +unwilling to trust our lives to the uncertainties of the +lake. I therefore unwillingly resolved to terminate +our survey here, and remain satisfied for the present +with what we had been able to add to the unknown +geography of the region. We felt pleasure also in remembering +that we were the first who, in the traditionary +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page192" id="page192"></a>[pg 192]</span> +annals of the country, had visited the islands, and +broken, with the cheerful sound of human voices, the +long solitude of the place.</p> + +<p>"'I accidentally left on the summit the brass cover to +the object end of my spy-glass; and as it will probably +remain there undisturbed by Indians, it will furnish +matter of speculation to some future traveler. In +our excursions about the island, we did not meet with +any kind of animal; a magpie, and another larger +bird, probably attracted by the smoke of our fire, paid +us a visit from the shore, and were the only living +things seen during our stay. The rock constituting +the cliffs along the shore where we were encamped, is +a talcous rock, or steatite, with brown spar.</p> + +<p>"'At sunset, the temperature was 70°. We had arrived +just in time to obtain a meridian altitude of the +sun, and other observations were obtained this evening, +which place our camp in latitude 41° 10' 42", and +longitude 112° 21' 05" from Greenwich. From a discussion +of the barometrical observations made during +our stay on the shores of the lake, we have adopted +4,200 feet for its elevation above the Gulf of Mexico. +In the first disappointment we felt from the dissipation +of our dream of the fertile islands, I called this Disappointment Island.</p> + +<p>"'Out of the driftwood, we made ourselves pleasant +little lodges, open to the water, and, after having +kindled large fires to excite the wonder of any straggling +savage on the lake shores, lay down, for the first +time in a long journey, in perfect security; no one +thinking about his arms. The evening was extremely +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page193" id="page193"></a>[pg 193]</span> +bright and pleasant; but the wind rose during the +night, and the waves began to break heavily on the +shore, making our island tremble. I had not expected +in our inland journey to hear the roar of an ocean +surf; and the strangeness of our situation, and the +excitement we felt in the associated interests of the +place, made this one of the most interesting nights I +remember during our long expedition.</p> + +<p>"'In the morning, the surf was breaking heavily on +the shore, and we were up early. The lake was dark +and agitated, and we hurried through our scanty +breakfast, and embarked—having first filled one of the +buckets with water from the lake, of which it was +intended to make salt. The sun had risen by the time +we were ready to start; and it was blowing a strong +gale of wind, almost directly off the shore, and raising +a considerable sea, in which our boat strained very +much. It roughened as we got away from the +island, and it required all the efforts of the men to +make any head against the wind and sea; the gale +rising with the sun; and there was danger of being +blown into one of the open reaches beyond the island. +At the distance of half a mile from the beach, the +depth of water was sixteen feet, with a clay bottom; +but, as the working of the boat was very severe +labor, and during the operation of sounding it was +necessary to cease paddling, during which the boat +lost considerable way, I was unwilling to discourage +the men, and reluctantly gave up my intention of +ascertaining the depth, and the character of the +bed. There was a general shout in the boat when +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page194" id="page194"></a>[pg 194]</span> +we found ourselves in one fathom, and we soon after landed.'"</p> + +<hr /> + +<p>We now resume Kit Carson's narrative. When the +Indian-rubber boat was put in order, Colonel Fremont +started, taking Carson and three others as companions. +(Their names have already appeared.) The distance +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 examining 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 was 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.</p> + +<p>The day having been far spent in their labors, orders +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 immediately +stationed at the bellows and it required his constant aid +to supply the portion which steadily escaped. Colonel +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page195" id="page195"></a>[pg 195]</span> +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 +fury that it caused the water of the lake, according to +the natural water mark, to rise ten feet in one hour.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 expedition +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 command of this camp, +while he, with a small party, proceeded to Vancouver's +Island and purchased some provisions. On his return he +found that the whole party had become consolidated. +The command now journeyed to Tlamath Lake in Oregon +Territory. The descriptions of all these journeys have +already been given to the public in several forms, all however +based upon Colonel Fremont's reports made to the +U.S. 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page196" id="page196"></a>[pg 196]</span> +Tlamath 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 Nevada Mountains, they were found to be +entirely covered 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 +themselves 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 certain +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 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page197" id="page197"></a>[pg 197]</span> +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 everything they could get into their mouths. +The sufferings of the men had been as severe as had +ever fallen to the lot of any mountaineer present. Their +provisions 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.</p> + +<p>An incident is related by Colonel Fremont, in which +Kit Carson enjoyed a cold-bath, which occurred during +this terrible march. "<i>February Twenty-third.</i>—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 exposure afforded us a +chance to scramble along. But these 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 <i>parflêche</i> 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page198" id="page198"></a>[pg 198]</span> +outlet of the lake. Carson sprang over, clear across a +place where the stream was compressed among the +rocks, but the <i>parflêche</i> sole of my moccasin 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, we 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."</p> + +<hr /> + +<p>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 superiors 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.</p> + +<p>The party now commenced descending the mountains. +On reaching the valley beneath, Fremont, taking Kit Carson +and six of the men, pushed on in advance, 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page199" id="page199"></a>[pg 199]</span> +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 proprietor. 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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>At the time we describe Fremont on his second expedition, +nothing whatever was known of the immense fields +of treasure over which he and his men daily walked, +although, for many years previous to the discovery 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, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page200" id="page200"></a>[pg 200]</span> +and, no doubt, frequently their eyes had penetrated +through it until they saw the sand beneath in which, perchance, +the sparkling specs may have occasionally allured +them sufficiently to recall the proverb that "all is not gold that glitters."</p> + +<p>The writer once made inquiry of one of these mountaineers +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 <i>Eagle</i> of our +country stamped upon it."</p> + +<p>Provisions were immediately obtained at the Fort and +carried to Fitzpatrick and his party. Great difficulty 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 Sutter. 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 unfortunate. When the terrible +sufferings of the commander and his men have been +named, the catalogue of misfortune is ended. Its results, +grand and glorious, have immortalized the name of +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page201" id="page201"></a>[pg 201]</span> +every man who assisted, 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 Exploring Parties.</p> + +<p>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 distance from Fort +Hall by the route taken is about two thousand miles. +The party remained at Sutter'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 expiration of this time, +the party was sufficiently recruited to be ready for their return +journey, which they commenced 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 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page202" id="page202"></a>[pg 202]</span> +revolutions 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 manner. +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 Mr. Sutter to +continue the hunt. He did so most faithfully; and, by +his exertions, 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. Before we follow the party on their +homeward-bound tramp, it is proper that the reader +should be favored with the estimate and views which the +American historian, statesman and scholar, Colonel Benton, +has recorded concerning the perils undergone and +results accomplished by this expedition. His pen is so +graphic and life-like that the reader will doubtless thank +us for the extract. Besides presenting a view of the +expedition, it will unfold a fact which shows where the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page203" id="page203"></a>[pg 203]</span> +origin of the expedition had its conception. We give +all he says concerning the expedition.<a id="footnotetag17" name="footnotetag17"></a><a href="#footnote17"><sup>17</sup></a></p> + +<p>"'The government deserves credit for the zeal with +which it has pursued geographical discovery.' Such +is the remark which a leading paper made upon the +discoveries of Fremont, on his return from his second +expedition to the great West; and such is the remark +which all writers will make upon all his discoveries +who write history from public documents and outside +views. With all such writers the expeditions of Fremont +will be credited to the zeal of the government +for the promotion of science, as if the government under +which he acted had conceived and planned these expeditions, +as Mr. Jefferson did that of Lewis and Clark, +and then selected this young officer to carry into effect +the instructions delivered to him. How far such history +would be true in relation to the first expedition, +which terminated in the Rocky Mountains, has been +seen in the account which has been given of the origin +of that undertaking, and which leaves the government +innocent of its conception; and, therefore, not entitled +to the credit of its authorship, but only to the merit +of permitting it. In the second, and greater expedition, +from which great political as well as scientific +results have flowed, their merit is still less; for, while +equally innocent of its conception, they were not +equally passive to its performance—countermanding +the expedition after it had begun—and lavishing censure +upon the adventurous young explorer for his +manner of undertaking it. The fact was, that his first +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page204" id="page204"></a>[pg 204]</span> +expedition barely finished, Mr. Fremont sought and +obtained orders for a second one, and was on the +frontier of Missouri with his command when orders +arrived at St. Louis to stop him, on the ground that +he had made a military equipment which the peaceful +nature of his geographical pursuit did not require! as +if Indians did not kill and rob scientific men as well as +others if not in a condition to defend themselves. The +particular point of complaint was that he had taken a +small mountain howitzer, in addition to his rifles; and +which he was informed, was charged to him, although +it had been furnished upon a regular requisition on +the commandant of the arsenal at St. Louis, approved +by the commander of the military department (Colonel, +afterward General Kearney). Mr. Fremont had left +St. Louis, and was at the frontier, Mrs. Fremont being +requested to examine the letters that came after him, +and forward those which he ought to receive. She +read the countermanding orders and detained them! +and Fremont knew nothing of their existence, until +after he had returned from one of the most marvellous +and eventful expeditions of modern times—one to +which the United States are indebted (among other +things) for the present ownership of California, instead +of seeing it a British possession. The writer of this +View, who was then in St. Louis, approved of the +course which his daughter had taken (for she had +stopped the orders before he knew it); and he wrote +a letter to the department condemning the recall, +repulsing the reprimand which had been lavished upon +Fremont, and demanding a court-martial for him when +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page205" id="page205"></a>[pg 205]</span> +he should return. The Secretary of War was then +Mr. James Madison Porter, of Pennsylvania; the chief +of the topographical corps the same as now (Colonel +Abert), himself an office man, surrounded by West +Point officers, to whose pursuit of easy service, +Fremont's adventurous expeditions was a reproach; and +in conformity to whose opinions the secretary seemed +to have acted. On Fremont's return, upwards of a +year afterwards, Mr. William Wilkins, of Pennsylvania, +was Secretary of War, and received the young explorer +with all honor and friendship, and obtained for him +the brevet of captain from President Tyler. And such +is the inside view of this piece of history—very different +from what documentary evidence would make it.</p> + +<p>"To complete his survey across the continent, on the +line of travel between the State of Missouri and the +tide-water region of the Columbia, was Fremont's +object in this expedition; and it was all that he had +obtained orders for doing; but only a small part, and +to his mind an insignificant part, of what he proposed +doing. People had been to the mouth of the Columbia +before, and his ambition was not limited to making +tracks where others had made them before him. There +was a vast region beyond the Rocky Mountains—the +whole western slope of our continent—of which but +little was known; and of that little, nothing with the +accuracy of science. All that vast region, more than +seven hundred miles square—equal to a great kingdom +in Europe—was an unknown land—a sealed book, +which he longed to open, and to read. Leaving the +frontier of Missouri in May, 1843, and often diverging +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page206" id="page206"></a>[pg 206]</span> +from his route for the sake of expanding his field of +observation, he had arrived in the tide-water region of +Columbia in the month of November; and had then +completed the whole service which his orders embraced. +He might then have returned upon his tracks, or been +brought home by sea, or hunted the most pleasant path +for getting back; and if he had been a routine officer, +satisfied with fulfilling an order, he would have done +so. Not so the young explorer, who held his diploma +from nature, and not from the United States Military +Academy. He was at Fort Vancouver, guest of the +hospitable Dr. McLaughlin, Governor of the British +Hudson Bay Fur Company; and obtained from him +all possible information upon his intended line of +return—faithfully given, but which proved to be disastrously +erroneous in its leading and governing feature. +A southeast route to cross the great unknown +region diagonally through its heart (making a line from +the Lower Columbia to the Upper Colorado of the +Gulf of California), was his line of return; twenty-five +men (the same who had come with him from the +United States) and a hundred horses were his equipment; +and the commencement of winter the time of +starting—all without a guide, relying upon their guns +for support; and, in the last resort, upon their horses—such +as should give out! for one that could carry a +man, or a pack, could not be spared for food.</p> + +<p>"All the maps up to that time had shown this region +traversed from east to west—from the base of the +Rocky Mountains to the Bay of San Francisco—by a +great river called the <i>Buena Ventura</i>: which may be +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page207" id="page207"></a>[pg 207]</span> +translated, the <i>Good Chance</i>. Governor McLaughlin +believed in the existence of this river, and made out a +conjectural manuscript map to show its place and +course. Fremont believed in it, and his plan was to +reach it before the dead of winter, and then hybernate +upon it. As a great river he knew that it must have +some rich bottoms, covered with wood and grass, +where the wild animals would collect and shelter, +when the snows and freezing winds drove them from +the plains; and with these animals to live on, and +grass for the horses, and wood for fires, he expected +to avoid suffering, if not to enjoy comfort, during his +solitary sojourn in that remote and profound wilderness.</p> + +<p>"He proceeded—soon encountered deep snows which +impeded progress upon the highlands—descended into +a low country to the left (afterwards known to be the +Great Basin, from which no water issues to any sea)—skirted +an enormous chain of mountain on the right, +luminous with glittering white snow—saw strange Indians, +who mostly fled—found a desert—no Buena +Ventura; and death from cold and famine staring him +in the face. The failure to find the river, or tidings +of it, and the possibility of its existence seeming to be +forbid by the structure of the country, and hybernation +in the inhospitable desert being impossible, and the +question being that of life and death, some new plan +of conduct became indispensable. His celestial observations +told him that he was in the latitude of the Bay +of San Francisco, and only seventy miles from it. But +what miles! up and down that snowy mountain which +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page208" id="page208"></a>[pg 208]</span> +the Indians told him no men could cross in the winter—which +would have snow upon it as deep as the trees, +and places where people would slip off and fall half a +mile at a time—a fate which actually befell a mule, +packed with the precious burden of botanical specimens, +collected along a travel of two thousand miles. +No reward could induce an Indian to become a guide +in the perilous adventure of crossing this mountain. +All recoiled and fled from the adventure. It was +attempted without a guide—in the dead of winter—accomplished +in forty days—the men and surviving +horses—a woeful procession, crawling along one by +one; skeleton men leading skeleton horses—and +arriving at Sutter's Settlement in the beautiful valley of +the Sacramento; and where a genial warmth, and +budding flowers, and trees in foliage, and grassy ground, +and flowing streams, and comfortable food, made a +fairy contrast with the famine and freezing they had +encountered, and the lofty Sierra Nevada which they +had climbed. Here he rested and recruited; and from +this point, and by way of Monterey, the first tidings +were heard of the party since leaving Fort Vancouver.</p> + +<p>"Another long progress to the south, skirting the +western base of the Sierra Nevada, made him acquainted +with the noble valley of the San Joaquin, counterpart +to that of the Sacramento; when crossing through +a gap, and turning to the left, he skirted the Great +Basin; and by many deviations from the right line +home, levied incessant contributions to science from +expanded lands, not described before. In this eventful +exploration, all the great features of the western +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page209" id="page209"></a>[pg 209]</span> +slope of our continent were brought to light—the +Great Salt Lake, the Utah Lake, the Little Salt Lake; +at all which places, then deserts, the Mormons now +are; the Sierra Nevada, then solitary in the snow, +now crowded with Americans, digging gold from its +flanks: the beautiful valleys of the Sacramento and +San Joaquin, then alive with wild horses, elk, deer, +and wild fowls, now smiling with American cultivation; +the Great Basin itself and its contents; the Three +Parks; the approximation of the great rivers which, +rising together in the central region of the Rocky +Mountains, go off east and west, towards the rising and +the setting sun—all these, and other strange features +of a new region, more Asiatic than American, were +brought to light and revealed to public view in the +results of this exploration.</p> + +<p>"Eleven months he was never out of sight of snow; +and sometimes, freezing with cold, would look down +upon a sunny valley, warm with genial heat;—sometimes +panting with the summer's heat, would look up +at the eternal snows which crowned the neighboring +mountain. But it was not then that California was +secured to the Union—to the greatest power of the +New World—to which it of right belonged; but it +was the first step towards the acquisition, and the one +that led to it. The second expedition led to a third, +just in time to snatch the golden California from the +hands of the British, ready to clutch it. But of this +hereafter. Fremont's second expedition was now over. +He had left the United States a fugitive from his +government, and returned with a name that went over +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page210" id="page210"></a>[pg 210]</span> +Europe and America, and with discoveries bearing +fruit which the civilized world is now enjoying."</p> + +<p>On their homeward-bound journey, the party followed +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 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.</p> + +<p>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 which 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, together +with his father and mother. They were endeavoring +to find better grazing for their animals. For this +purpose they had penetrated the country as far as they +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page211" id="page211"></a>[pg 211]</span> +dared; and, at about eighty miles from the camp of +Fremont, had resolved to wait for their friends. Fuentes +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.</p> + +<p>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 entire 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 Indians 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 attempt to deliver the captives, if +such they should prove, or to avenge their death, if that +became the sad alternative.</p> + +<p>Fuentes had left the horses at a spring of water, well +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page212" id="page212"></a>[pg 212]</span> +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 revealed +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.</p> + +<p>Carson and Godey were determined to make one effort +to punish the rascals. They started, taking Fuentes 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 Fuentes 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 requested 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 therefore 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page213" id="page213"></a>[pg 213]</span> +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 follow 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 pursuit. +Finally, they concluded that only a few hours separated +them from the savages. Having accomplished a +considerable part of their journey during the night, and +finding that both themselves and their horses required +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 warming themselves. +At daybreak 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, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page214" id="page214"></a>[pg 214]</span> +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 +commenced 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, +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 Carson +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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page215" id="page215"></a>[pg 215]</span> +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 +common 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 reconnoitre. +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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page216" id="page216"></a>[pg 216]</span> +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 remains of these two poor captives were afterwards +found by some of Fremont's men. The Indians, not satisfied +with killing them, had staked their bodies to the +ground. Kit Carson and Godey having now accomplished, +on this errand of mercy, all that lay in the power +of man to do, set out to return and soon rejoined their +friends, whom they found anxiously waiting for them. +Col. Fremont concludes his account of this affair in the following words:</p> + +<p>"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 daring deeds, can present. Two men, in a savage +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page217" id="page217"></a>[pg 217]</span> +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 enterprise from early life."</p> + +<p>The stolen property was restored to the Mexicans +without one cent being demanded or received by either Carson or Godey.</p> + +<p>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 is +exposed to Indian barbarities, no living man is more +willing, or more capable of rendering a lasting service +than Christopher Carson. A name that, wherever it is +known, is ranked among the "bravest of the brave."</p> + +<p>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 advantage +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 informing any +of his friends of his intentions, he started out in quest +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page218" id="page218"></a>[pg 218]</span> +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 without 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 neighborhood of the signs, they +gave up 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 +Canadian had not been surprised by any enemy in +ambuscade, 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, and +was considered a fine marksman.</p> + +<p>The party now proceeded on their journey, returning +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page219" id="page219"></a>[pg 219]</span> +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 New Park. +They journeyed through this into the Old 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 following fourth of July Mr. Bent +gave a dinner in commemoration of the occasion to +Fremont and his party. Although hundreds of miles +separated from their countrymen, yet they sat down to +as sumptuous a repast as could be furnished in many towns of the States.</p> + +<p>The exploring party considered their labors finished +at this post, as, in accordance with the tastes of many +of the party, they were near enough to civilization. +The command was dissolved, and Colonel Fremont proceeded +on his route to Washington. Kit Carson, about +the same time, started for Taos, where he had been for +a long time anxiously expected by his family and friends.</p> + +<p>The description which Colonel Fremont has given of +the country through which this expedition traveled, +seems to be an appropriate and almost a necessary addition +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page220" id="page220"></a>[pg 220]</span> +to this work. On the 24th day of May the party, +on their return, reached the Utah Lake. "Early the +next day," says Fremont, "we came in sight of the +lake; and, as we descended to the broad bottoms of +the Spanish Fork, three horsemen were seen galloping +towards us, who proved to be Utah Indians—scouts +from a village, which was encamped near the mouth +of the river. They were armed with rifles, and their +horses were in good condition. We encamped near +them, on the Spanish Fork, which is one of the principal +tributaries to the lake. Finding the Indians +troublesome, and desirous to remain here a day, we +removed the next morning further down the lake, and +encamped on a fertile bottom near the foot of the same +mountainous ridge which borders the Great Salt Lake, +and along which we had journeyed the previous September.</p> + +<p>"We had now accomplished an object we had in view +when leaving the Dalles of the Columbia in November +last; we had reached the Utah Lake; but by a route +very different from what we had intended, and without +sufficient time remaining to make the examinations +which were desired. It is a lake of note in this +country, under the dominion of the Utahs, who resort +to it for fish. Its greatest breadth is about fifteen +miles, stretching far to the north, narrowing as it goes, +and connecting with the Great Salt Lake.</p> + +<p>"In arriving at the Utah Lake, we had completed an +immense circuit of twelve degrees diameter north and +south, and ten degrees east and west; and found ourselves +in May, 1844, on the same sheet of water which +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page221" id="page221"></a>[pg 221]</span> +we had left in September, 1843. The Utah is the +southern limb of the Great Salt Lake; and thus we +had seen that remarkable sheet of water both at its +northern and southern extremity, and were able to fix +its position at these two points. The circuit which we +had made, and which had cost us eight months of +time, and 3,500 miles of traveling, had given us a +view of Oregon and of North California from the +Rocky Mountains to the Pacific Ocean, and of the two +principal streams which form bays or harbors on the +coast of that sea. Having completed this circuit, and +being now about to turn the back upon the Pacific +slope of our continent, and to recross the Rocky +Mountains, it is natural to look back upon our footsteps, +and take some brief view of the leading features +and general structure of the country we have traversed. +These are peculiar and striking, and differ +essentially from the Atlantic side of our country. The +mountains all are higher, more numerous, and more +distinctly defined in their ranges and directions; and, +what is so contrary to the natural order of such formations, +one of these, ranges, which is near the coast (the +Sierra Nevada and the Coast Range), presents higher +elevations and peaks than any which are to be found +in the Rocky Mountains themselves. In our eight +months' circuit, we were never out, of sight of snow; +and the Sierra Nevada, where we crossed it, was near +2,000 feet higher than the South Pass in the Rocky +Mountains. In height, these mountains greatly exceed +those of the Atlantic side, constantly presenting peaks +which enter the region of eternal snow; and some of +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page222" id="page222"></a>[pg 222]</span> +them volcanic, and in a frequent state of activity. +They are seen at great distances and guide the traveler in his courses.</p> + +<p>"The course and elevation of these ranges give direction +to the rivers, and character to the coast. No great +river does, or can, take its rise below the Cascade and +Sierra Nevada Range; the distance to the sea is too +short to admit of it. The rivers of the San Francisco +Bay, which are the largest after the Columbia, are local +to that bay, and lateral to the coast, having their +sources about on a line with the Dalles of the Columbia, +and running each in a valley of its own, between the +Coast Range and the Cascade and Sierra Nevada Range. +The Columbia is the only river which traverses the +whole breadth of the country, breaking through all the +ranges, and entering the sea. Drawing its waters from +a section of ten degrees of latitude in the Rocky Mountains, +which are collected into one stream by three +main forks (Lewis's, Clark's, and the North Fork), near +the centre of the Oregon valley, this great river thence +proceeds by a single channel to the sea, while its three +forks lead each to a pass in the mountains, which opens +the way into the interior of the continent. This fact in +relation to the rivers of this region gives an immense +value to the Columbia. Its mouth is the only inlet +and outlet to and from the sea; its three forks lead to +the passes in the mountains; it is, therefore, the only +line of communication between the Pacific and the interior +of North America; and all operations of war or +commerce, of national or social intercourse, must be +conducted upon it. This gives it a value beyond estimation, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page223" id="page223"></a>[pg 223]</span> +and would involve irreparable injury if lost. +In this unity and concentration of its waters, the +Pacific side of our continent differs entirely from the +Atlantic side, where the waters of the Alleghany Mountains +are dispersed into many rivers, having their different +entrances into the sea, and opening many lines of +communication with the interior."</p> + +<p>"The Pacific coast is equally different from that of the +Atlantic. The coast of the Atlantic is low and open, +indented with numerous bays, sounds, and river estuaries, +accessible everywhere, and opening by many +channels into the heart of the country. The Pacific +coast, on the contrary, is high and compact, with few +bays, and but one that opens into the heart of the country. +The immediate coast is what the seamen call <i>iron +bound</i>. A little within, it is skirted by two successive +ranges of mountains, standing as ramparts between the +sea and the interior country; and to get through which, +there is but one gate, and that narrow and easily defended. +This structure of the coast, backed by these +two ranges of mountains, with its concentration and +unity of waters, gives to the country an immense military +strength, and will probably render Oregon the +most impregnable country in the world."</p> + +<p>"Differing so much from the Atlantic side of our continent +in coast, mountains, and rivers, the Pacific side +differs from it in another most rare and singular feature—that +of the Great interior Basin, of which I have so +often spoken, and the whole form and character of +which I was so anxious to ascertain. Its existence is +vouched for by such of the American traders and hunters +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page224" id="page224"></a>[pg 224]</span> +as have some knowledge of that region; the structure +of the Sierra Nevada range of mountains requires +it to be there; and my own observations confirm it. +Mr. Joseph Walker, who is so well acquainted in those +parts, informed that, from the Great Salt Lake west, +there was a succession of lakes and rivers which have +no outlet to the sea, nor any connection with the Columbia, +or with the Colorado of the Gulf of California. +He described some of these lakes as being large, with +numerous streams, and even considerable rivers, falling +into them. In fact, all concur in the general report of +these interior rivers and lakes; and, for want of understanding +the force and power of evaporation, which so +soon establishes an equilibrium between the loss and +supply of waters, the fable of whirlpools and subterraneous +outlets has gained belief as the only imaginable +way of carrying off the waters which have no visible +discharge. The structure of the country would require +this formation of interior lakes; for the waters which +would collect between the Rocky Mountains and the +Sierra Nevada, not being able to cross this formidable +barrier, nor to get to the Columbia or the Colorado, +must naturally collect into reservoirs, each of which +would have its little system of streams and rivers to +supply it. This would be the natural effect; and what +I saw went to confirm it. The Great Salt Lake is a +formation of this kind, and quite a large one; and +having many streams, and one considerable river, four +or five hundred miles long, falling into it. This lake +and river I saw and examined myself; and also saw the +Wahsatch and Bear River Mountains which inclose the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page225" id="page225"></a>[pg 225]</span> +waters of the lake on the east, and constitute, in that +quarter, the rim of the Great Basin. Afterwards, along +the eastern base of the Sierra Nevada, where we traveled +for forty-two days, I saw the line of lakes and +rivers which lie at the foot of that Sierra; and which +Sierra is the western rim of the Basin. In going down +Lewis's Fork and the main Columbia, I crossed only +inferior streams coming in from the left, such as could +draw their water from a short distance only; and I +often saw the mountains at their heads, white with +snow; which, all accounts said, divided the waters of +the <i>desert</i> from those of the Columbia, and which could +be no other than the range of mountains which form +the rim of the Basin on its northern side. And in +returning from California along the Spanish trail, as far +as the head of the Santa Clara Fork of the Rio Virgen, +I crossed only small streams making their way south +to the Colorado, or lost in sand—as the Mo-hah-ve; +while to the left, lofty mountains, their summits white +with snow, were often visible, and which must have +turned water to the north as well as to the south, and +thus constituted, on this part, the southern rim of the +Basin. At the head of the Santa Clara Fork, and in +the Vegas de Santa Clara, we crossed the ridge which +parted the two systems of waters. We entered the Basin +at that point, and have traveled in it ever since, +having its southeastern rim (the Wahsatch Mountain) +on the right, and crossing the streams which flow +down into it. The existence of the Basin is, therefore, +an established fact in my mind; its extent and +contents are yet to be better ascertained. It cannot +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page226" id="page226"></a>[pg 226]</span> +be less than four or five hundred miles each way, +and must lie principally in the Alta California; the demarcation +latitude of 42° probably cutting a segment +from the north part of the rim. Of its interior, but +little is known. It is called a <i>desert</i>, and, from what I +saw of it, sterility may be its prominent characteristic; +but where there is so much water there must be some +<i>oasis</i>. The great river and the great lake reported may +not be equal to the report; but where there is so much +snow, there must be streams; and where there is no +outlet, there must be lakes to hold the accumulated +waters, or sands to swallow them up. In this eastern +part of the basin, containing Sevier, Utah, and the +Great Salt lakes, and the rivers and creeks falling into +them, we know there is good soil and good grass, +adapted to civilized settlements. In the western part, +on Salmon-trout River, and some other streams, the +same remark may be made."</p> + +<p>"The contents of this Great Basin are yet to be examined. +That it is peopled, we know; but miserably +and sparsely. From all that I heard and saw, I should +say that humanity here appeared in its lowest form, +and in its most elementary state. Dispersed in single +families; without fire-arms; eating seeds and insects; +digging roots (and hence their name); such is the condition +of the greater part. Others are a degree higher, +and live in communities upon some lake or river that +supplies fish, and from which they repulse the miserable +<i>digger</i>. The rabbit is the largest animal known in this +desert; its flesh affords a little meat; and their bag-like +covering is made of its skins. The wild sage is +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page227" id="page227"></a>[pg 227]</span> +their only wood, and here it is of extraordinary size—sometimes +a foot in diameter, and six or eight feet +high. It serves for fuel, for building material, for +shelter to the rabbits, and for some sort of covering +for the feet and legs in cold weather. Such are the +accounts of the inhabitants and productions of the +Great Basin; and which, though imperfect, must have +some foundation, and excite our desire to know the whole."</p> + +<p>"The whole idea of such a desert and such a people, +is a novelty in our country, and excites Asiatic, not +American ideas. Interior basins, with their own systems +of lakes and rivers, and often sterile, are common +enough in Asia; people in the elementary state of +families, living in deserts, with no other occupation +than the mere animal search for food, may still be seen +in that ancient quarter of the globe; but in America +such things are new and strange, unknown and unsuspected, +and discredited when related. But I flatter +myself that what is discovered, though not enough to +satisfy curiosity, is sufficient to excite it, and that subsequent +explorations will complete what has been commenced."</p> + +<p>"This account of the Great Basin, it will be remembered, +belongs to the Alta California, and has no application +to Oregon, whose capabilities may justify a +separate remark. Referring to my journal for particular +descriptions, and for sectional boundaries between +good and bad districts, I can only say, in general and +comparative terms, that, in that branch of agriculture +which implies the cultivation of grains and staple crops, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page228" id="page228"></a>[pg 228]</span> +it would be inferior to the Atlantic States, though +many parts are superior for wheat, while in the rearing +of flocks and herds it would claim a high place. Its +grazing capabilities are great; and even in the indigenous +grass now there, an element of individual and +national wealth may be found. In fact the valuable +grasses begin within one hundred and fifty miles of +the Missouri frontier and extend to the Pacific Ocean. +East of the Rocky Mountains, it is the short, curly +grass, on which the buffalo delight to feed (whence its +name of buffalo), and which is still good when dry and +apparently dead. West of those mountains it is a +larger growth, in clusters, and hence called bunch +grass, and which has a second or fall growth. Plains +and mountains both exhibit them; and I have seen +good pasturage at an elevation of ten thousand feet. +In this spontaneous product, the trading or traveling +caravans can find subsistence for their animals; and in +military operations any number of cavalry may be +moved, and any number of cattle may be driven, and +thus men and horses be supported on long expeditions, +and even in winter in the sheltered situations.</p> + +<p>"Commercially, the value of the Oregon country must +be great, washed as it is by the North Pacific Ocean, +fronting Asia, producing many of the elements of commerce, +mild and healthy in its climate, and becoming, +as it naturally will, a thoroughfare for the East India and China trade."</p> + +<p>Col. Fremont, in this beautiful and instructive passage +of descriptive writing, refers to the grass on which the +buffalo "delight to feed." It is eminently proper that +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page229" id="page229"></a>[pg 229]</span> +we should add a few words for general information concerning +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.</p> + +<p>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-mentioned +stem, hang clusters of seeds which are well protected 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 not confined +to the mountains in New Mexico; it is sometimes +met with in the valleys, where it grows to an immense +height; but, in the low lands, it is useless, being too +tough for animals to masticate. Strangers, when journeying +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page230" id="page230"></a>[pg 230]</span> +in these parts, often make the mistake of selecting +camps in this tall grass, being deceived by its thrifty +appearance; but, one night, thus spent, will clearly +prove its utter worthlessness.</p> + +<p>On the plains there are but few wild flowers; but, as +the traveler approaches the mountains, they greet his +eyes in extensive beds and of variegated colors. As a +grazing country, the Rocky Mountains and their immediate +vicinity cannot 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 cañons, +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. +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 magpie +is found in abundance. Turkeys and grouse are also in +abundance. Wild rabbits and a species of hare are also +common. Indeed a man can travel for days in the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page231" id="page231"></a>[pg 231]</span> +Rocky Mountains and never hear the musical notes of a +bird. In these mountains, rattle-snakes are only found +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 them. 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 <i>piñon</i>, 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 Mountains is very great, and there +is no doubt but some day, rich veins of gold, silver, and +iron ore will be discovered there. The geological +formation of the country 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 +resembling 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 +frequent resort by the Indians, who use them for medicinal purposes.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page232" id="page232"></a>[pg 232]</span> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER IX.</h2> + +<blockquote><p> +Kit Carson concludes to become a Farmer—He is joined in the Enterprise by a +Friend—They build a Ranche on the Cimeron River—Descriptions 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 encounter 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 repulsed—The Burial of Comrades. +</p></blockquote> + + +<p>In the early spring of 1845, Kit Carson, after weighing +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 implements, stock and +animals, provisions and necessaries all procured. With +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page233" id="page233"></a>[pg 233]</span> +the services of some laborers hired by them, they were +soon engaged actively preparing 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 evident results, and in the prospect, +it was clearly apparent that another year would +serve to give them profitable reward for their enterprise.</p> + +<p>It seems appropriate at this point, that we should enable +the reader to look upon and judge of the farming +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.</p> + +<p>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 centre 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page234" id="page234"></a>[pg 234]</span> +attraction of the town is the plaza, where all the business, +such as marketing, etc., is carried on. It is here +that the stores are located; and, on a fête day, or in business +hours, it is thronged with Mexicans, Americans, +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 finished 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 fête 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 +country. 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 exemplary +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 narrowness, +from want of observation; hence, they were the means +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page235" id="page235"></a>[pg 235]</span> +of retarding the natural progress of the people. It cannot +be denied but that the Catholic religion has 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 valley 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 Rio 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 number +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 people +is farming. Raising horses, cattle and sheep is carried +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 under cultivation, +but is covered with sage bushes. It is around the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page236" id="page236"></a>[pg 236]</span> +skirts of the mountains, that the only valuable grass is +found. The people, as a general thing, are quite poor, +but, as they find a ready market through 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 property. It is with great labor that +the people of Taos bring their crops to perfection, as it +is necessary to irrigate 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 climate 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page237" id="page237"></a>[pg 237]</span> +to his disease. I prophesy that some day our internal +continent will be the "Mecca" for pilgrims with this disease.</p> + +<p>The dress of the New Mexican is the same as in Old +Mexico. The peasant wears his <i>sombrero</i> and his everlasting +blanket, which serves him as a coat, and a covering +by night. He rarely has but one suit of clothes, +which are put on new and worn until they are of no +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 "<i>connoisseur's</i> 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 packages of domestic goods, the duties +upon which, when introduced in the legal way, were +enormous; hence the white men engaged in this business, +when successful, met with ample rewards for their +labors. The frontiers were like the olden sea coasts. +The Mexicans 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. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page238" id="page238"></a>[pg 238]</span> +An old trick was to have a double bottom to a wagon, +and, in the vacant space thus formed, were stowed valuable +shawls and such light articles as would meet a +sure and remunerative sale. Sometimes the goods were +brought near the frontiers and there hidden in 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 disturbed. 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 Fernandez 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 +domicils 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page239" id="page239"></a>[pg 239]</span> +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 plough, as frequently +used at the present time by the New Mexicans, is indeed +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 employed +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 plough had a difficult +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 woodsmen. 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 consist of pieces of solid wood +which are pegged together and made to approach a circle +by the best judgment of the <i>eye</i>, without the aid of +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page240" id="page240"></a>[pg 240]</span> +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 soft 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 +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 construction, +or else, when these are not near by, they make use of +two stones and grind it by hand. Their common diet +is a sort of thick gruel made of corn meal, wheat bread, +eggs, peas, beans, pumpkins, which latter articles they +roast, and then break holes into them and with a spoon +dip out the contents as they are required; 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 people of Taos as a good type to +judge of the manners and customs of the New Mexicans, +for the town is second only in size, in this Territory, to +Santa Fé. The inhabitants of New Mexico, notwithstanding +their poverty and neglect, owing to their remote +locality, are perhaps as happy and contented as +any community in the world. They are not over-celebrated +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page241" id="page241"></a>[pg 241]</span> +for their chastity or virtue; and, to the disgrace +of the white man, they have not been assisted by him in +these cardinal principles; but, time will work wonders +on this score and teach the immorality of such proceedings. +Their great source of enjoyment consists in dancing; +and hence the fandango is always looked for as a +time when dull care will be dispelled. A grand fandango +is the event of a New Mexican's life. These affairs +are gotten 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 another +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 señorita +giving vent to a negro melody or a favorite polka which +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page242" id="page242"></a>[pg 242]</span> +she has heard some American sing or whistle. At Santa +Fé there are several noted players on the violin and +harp who cannot read a word of music, yet they can +play on their respective instruments with taste and skill. +A New Mexican female, in preparing herself for these +balls, is very particular in making, by the aid of cosmetics, +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 she +leaves on several hours, when it is washed off and chalk +is applied so freely as to render it easily perceptible. +In her toilet she is also very particular, as far as the +exterior is concerned, and in the <i>fandango</i> the stranger's +eyes are taken by storm by the gaudy colors he sees +rather than the neatness of the dress. The floor 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 everyday 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 proceedings, they at +once draw forth the materials and make their cigarettos. +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 +<i>punchi</i>, a species of tobacco, making it anything but +agreeable. The women are seated on benches along the +walls of the building, by themselves, while the men congregate +in knots together. On the commencement of a +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page243" id="page243"></a>[pg 243]</span> +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 +señorita" shows she is enjoying herself. The men exhibit +their pleasure in a more boisterous manner; that +is, by occasionally whooping and cracking jokes. Gambling<a id="footnotetag18" name="footnotetag18"></a><a href="#footnote18"><sup>18</sup></a> +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 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 indulge +but sparingly in alcoholic liquor; but the men are prone +to the intoxicating cup. They often anticipate 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 "<i>aqua-diente</i>." The spirit of the +ball is carried on well into the short hours of night, +when all parties depart for their homes. Intoxication, +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, especially 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 mischief is too deeply rooted.</p> + +<p>We have thus endeavored to give the reader a view +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page244" id="page244"></a>[pg 244]</span> +of the people among whom Kit Carson had determined +to become a farmer. But he was not destined to finish and perfect his plans.</p> + +<p>Near the conclusion of the second exploring expedition, +and at the time when Kit Carson took his departure +from the party, Col. Fremont had received a promise +from him to the effect that he would join, as guide, any +party of discovery, for the further exploration of the +Rocky Mountains, which he, Col. Fremont, should command.</p> + +<p>During the active duties of a farmer's life, and just as +Kit Carson had brought his new enterprise into working +order, an expressman from Col. Fremont arrived 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.</p> + +<p>The express found Carson in the midst of so many +cares and anxieties concerning his new project, that it +became a very difficult matter for 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. Col. Fremont, 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.</p> + +<p>But to effect this was attended with no slight difficulties. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page245" id="page245"></a>[pg 245]</span> +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 erection +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. After a good deal of anxious inquiry, he +found a man who was willing to pay one half of the real +valuation attached to his property. Notwithstanding this +sacrifice, the bargain was closed and the business details +completed. In company with Mr. Owens, Kit Carson +once more bade his family and friends an affectionate farewell. +They 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 +Col. Fremont, which was the last one which he undertook +by authority of the United States government.</p> + +<p>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 mountains; +thence they made a circuit by the Ballo Salado, or +Soda Springs, coming back again upon the Arkansas, +striking the stream above its great cañon. Thence they +journeyed on to the head waters of the river. Here +they left the Arkansas River and took a direct route for +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page246" id="page246"></a>[pg 246]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>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 desperate battle, +nevertheless was outnumbered, outgeneralled, and +most completely overpowered. The Indians 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 known to the mountaineers.</p> + +<p>Col. Fremont (we should before this have mentioned +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 country +as far as the south side of the Great Salt Lake, passing +on his route a smaller body of water, which, for many +years, has been known as Little Utah Lake. The command +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, Col. Fremont +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page247" id="page247"></a>[pg 247]</span> +pitched his tents for the main camp. On the following +morning, taking Kit Carson and a few chosen +men, Col. Fremont started to explore the island. The +reports of the Indians were proven to be true. In addition +to plenty of fresh water and game, they discovered +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 sufficient 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 of the lake they found the salt deposit +to vary from the thickness of a wafer to the depth of twelve inches.</p> + +<p>Having made their observations, the small party returned +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 crossing 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 determined to try the formidable +desert, and, if possible, unfold its hidden secrets. His +men were equally ambitious with himself, and were ready +to second his efforts without fearing the trials or sufferings +which the desert route might exact.</p> + +<p>Colonel Fremont arranged all of his plans commensurate +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page248" id="page248"></a>[pg 248]</span> +with the hardships in expectancy. Early the subsequent +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 signal to Fremont, +who would immediately follow up their trail with the whole command.</p> + +<p>For sixty miles, Kit Carson with his little party +traveled over this level, barren and sandy desert, without +coming to a drop of water or a blade of grass. At +the 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 agreement. +Even at this long distance Fremont discovered +it, and immediately set his party in motion. Kit Carson +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 band 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 resumed, 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 Carson had selected for the camp +was, to the weary travelers, in every respect equal to an +oasis on the Great Sahara. There is no one thing +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page249" id="page249"></a>[pg 249]</span> +which a traveler on the plains dreads more than being +forced to camp without water and grass.</p> + +<p>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 besides +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 explore. +After finishing this, he was to join Talbot on the lake +which is formed by the widening of the Carson River. +The country through which Colonel Fremont traveled, he +found to be well furnished with grass, water and wood. +It is highly picturesque; but, as its characteristics are so +vividly painted in his reports, it is superfluous to add +our attempt to the same task. Having arrived at the +lake already mentioned, he there awaited the arrival of +Talbot. It was three 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 instructions were, to +find a certain pass which would bring him out in +the vicinity of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page250" id="page250"></a>[pg 250]</span> +Sierra Nevada Mountains, he arrived safe at Sutter's +Fort, without meeting with any incidents that were not +to be expected on such a trip. 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 +evident 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 reaching 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 look-out as sharply as they might have +been. The consequence was, that some hostile Indians +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page251" id="page251"></a>[pg 251]</span> +crept within their lines and killed two mules, which +depredation was not discovered until the next morning.</p> + +<p>Fremont had no animals remaining in condition to give +chase, and therefore had quietly to submit to his loss. +He 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 their companions. They traversed the coast +range and went to San José to see if they could hear +anything 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 José, 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page252" id="page252"></a>[pg 252]</span> +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 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 determined 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 +Gen. Castro, the Mexican commander of the territory. +The purport of this order was, that Fremont and his +party must immediately 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 messenger 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 before +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 exploring +party. The general commenced firing his cannon and +making a great uproar. He had all branches of the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page253" id="page253"></a>[pg 253]</span> +service with him, including artillery, infantry and cavalry. +In the intention of intimidation, however, he was +greatly mistaken, though the difference in numbers between +the two parties was in itself almost decisive, should +they come to a conflict. Yet the Mexicans 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 perfectly 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 perform 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 +Gen. 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 reaching +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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page254" id="page254"></a>[pg 254]</span> +time some American settlers in the neighborhood came +in with the information that one thousand 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 services 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 was in due time found, when the +whites commenced the fight by making an attack on it. +The battle was for a little while stoutly contested; but +finally the red men were completely routed. The number +of the killed it was difficult to ascertain; but Carson +is 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.</p> + +<p>On finishing his purchases, at this post, whose occupants +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 the +Shasta Buttes,<a id="footnotetag19" name="footnotetag19"></a><a href="#footnote19"><sup>19</sup></a> and thence on to the Tlamath Lake. +While encamped on the head of this collection 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, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page255" id="page255"></a>[pg 255]</span> +of the United States marines, who had with him six men +as an escort. After traveling three hundred miles over +bad trails at a rapid pace, his animals began to succumb +to fatigue. The lieutenant 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 inquiries in regard to Gillespie, and found +that he was in rather a precarious position; for, should +the Tlamath 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 +Gillespie 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 especially +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 country +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.</p> + +<p>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 concluding +the reading of his correspondence, Fremont turned 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 tomahawk 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 remembered that the evening before, +he had discharged it for the purpose of cleaning it, and +while doing so 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-barrelled pistol, with which he made at +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page257" id="page257"></a>[pg 257]</span> +the warrior who was so safely throwing his arrows into +his companion. 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 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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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. Before +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.</p> + +<p>Of the three men killed, the one by the name of Lajeunesse +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page258" id="page258"></a>[pg 258]</span> +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 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 sacrificing their comrades, they +had saved more lives than had been lost.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>The Indians, however, as Kit Carson predicted, had +come to the wise conclusion not to attempt so unsatisfactory +a business as another attack, for the grey light of the +following day came without their reappearance. 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 proceeded 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page259" id="page259"></a>[pg 259]</span> +through which they were traveling were very thick, and +already the bodies had become greatly disfigured, on account +of their frequently striking against the trees, as +they were fastened on the backs of three animals.</p> + +<p>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, 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 twitchings; eyes swimming +in tears, and a silence and solemnity 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.</p> + +<p>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, in order to watch and act against any Indians +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page260" id="page260"></a>[pg 260]</span> +who, by chance, might be following them from one +camp to another, in hopes of finding something. The +main command then moved on slowly, and had advanced +but a few miles when they were overtaken 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 performed their fearful duty.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page261" id="page261"></a>[pg 261]</span> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER X.</h2> + +<blockquote><p> +Fremont en route for California—His men are anxious to punish the Tlamath 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 destroyed—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 Tlamath 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. +</p></blockquote> + + +<p>The news of war having been declared between the +United States and Mexico, determined Fremont to return +to California; and, in doing so, he decided to enter +that country by a new route of his own selection.</p> + +<p>He commenced his journey by traveling around Lake +Tlamath, 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, also, their +commanding officer thought it best, while the opportunity +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page262" id="page262"></a>[pg 262]</span> +offered, for the benefit of his countrymen, 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 reinforcements, +in order to make the assault. If it should happen that +the Indians were the first to be apprised 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 existing among the red men by charging +right in among them. If ever there is a time when Indians +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page263" id="page263"></a>[pg 263]</span> +will stand their ground, it is when defending their +families; therefore, on this occasion, the white men were +warmly received; but, they fought with such a degree +of desperation, 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 +describes 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. +Wishing to do these people as much harm as possible, +and thus be even with them for their recent savage cruelties +on their own party, Kit Carson gave the order to +collect everything in the lodges and arrange the articles +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 reflection 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, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page264" id="page264"></a>[pg 264]</span> +whose words, to use his (Fremont's) own language, "are +synonymous with 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 comfortably 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 and await the return of the +Indians; who, it was thought, might come back to look +after their dead. He did so; and Owens had not been +secreted a great while before about fifty savages returned, +and, by the moon's light, were quite visible. As had +been previously 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 outpost. 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 circuitous. +On approaching the smouldering remains of the +village, Kit Carson discovered only one Indian wandering +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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page265" id="page265"></a>[pg 265]</span> +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 arrow 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 animal. 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 let the rascals quietly depart +without firing into them, which was much to his +own and his men's displeasure.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width:80%;"><a href="images/264-265.jpg"><img width="100%" src="images/264-265.jpg" alt="A moment more" /></a><p>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.—<span class="sc">Page 265.</span></p></div> + +<p>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 everything +safe; nor were they, during that night, in any +way disturbed. Kit Carson was, and is still, 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 arrow into some vital organ. It was +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page266" id="page266"></a>[pg 266]</span> +such noble generosity, 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 expeditions, 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.</p> + +<p>On the day following the one on which his party had +encountered and chastised the Tlamath Indians, Fremont +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 hunting 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.</p> + +<p>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 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 movements, 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page267" id="page267"></a>[pg 267]</span> +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; 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 parlance, the Indian "went under."</p> + +<p>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 cañon, the +sides of which were almost perpendicular and composed +of cragged rocks. Fremont decided not to pass through +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 +Tlamath 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 ventured forth +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page268" id="page268"></a>[pg 268]</span> +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 Gillespie. 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 passed by without any +further annoyance from the Indians; who, notwithstanding +the late forcible instruction 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page269" id="page269"></a>[pg 269]</span> +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 unperceived by the red man until he was within +range 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, +however, 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 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; and, finally, he decided to +take the responsibility of sending a part of his force to +surprise Sonoma—a Mexican military post that had but +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page270" id="page270"></a>[pg 270]</span> +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 Fremont 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 Sonoma +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 Americans. Fremont, +on finding that he could not overtake 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 continued his march +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page271" id="page271"></a>[pg 271]</span> +until he reached the Pueblo of Los Angelos, where he +was rejoined by General Castro, who reorganized the +forces and assumed the command himself. 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 Carson, Fremont then took up his line of +march towards Monterey, for the purpose of attacking +and taking possession 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.</p> + +<p>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 animals +and march on to Los Angelos. The United States vessel +Cyane, under the command of Capt. Dupont, was furnished +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page272" id="page272"></a>[pg 272]</span> +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 veteran +in war, and the whole body felt themselves invincible, +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 Gen. Castro had a force of +seven hundred men at their disposal. These officials, +with their soldiers, on learning the near approach of the +Americans, broke up and fled, most of them taking the +road to Sonora, while the balance scattered, not apparently +caring where they went, as long as they did not +come in contact with the Americans. Fremont marched +within about one league of the town, and encamped to +await, as had been previously agreed upon, the arrival +of Commodore Stockton, who soon joined him at this +place with a party of sailors and marines, "As fine a +body of men," says Kit Carson, "as ever I looked upon."</p> + +<p>When the two commands had been consolidated, they +marched direct for Los Angelos, which they easily captured, +as its would-be defenders had some days before +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page273" id="page273"></a>[pg 273]</span> +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 narrative.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page274" id="page274"></a>[pg 274]</span> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER XI.</h2> + +<blockquote><p> +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 the Dispatches +by Fitzpatrick—The March—Arrival at Warner's Ranche—Mexicans on +the Road—Preparations for a Battle—The Battle—Disastrous Consequences—Kit +Carson and Lieutenant 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—Reinforcements sent +out—Lieutenant Beale is Delirious from the Privations he has undergone—Gen. +Kearney and his Command finally reach and join the other American Forces in California. +</p></blockquote> + + +<p>On the 15th day of September, 1846, 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.</p> + +<p>At the time of which we write, there was no steam +communication, as now, <i>viâ</i> the two great oceans, consequently, +the intercourse between our brave countrymen +in California 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.</p> + +<p>Kit Carson was instructed to use his utmost endeavors +to make the journey in sixty days, which was no small +undertaking, when we consider the great distance to be +traveled over and the obstacles that lay in his path; he +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page275" id="page275"></a>[pg 275]</span> +undertook it, however, with a determination not to be easily frustrated.</p> + +<p>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 Indians, +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-manœuvered, +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 better 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 understand 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 treachery of the red men, should +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page276" id="page276"></a>[pg 276]</span> +they attempt any. When 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 bye on the most friendly terms.</p> + +<p>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 happened 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 expended. 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 +<i>dernier resort</i>, 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page277" id="page277"></a>[pg 277]</span> +such a procedure. It was true, the Mexicans at that +time were at war; but, there were scattered over New +Mexico, 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 +employed himself in purchasing supplies, in which he +succeeded beyond even his expectations.</p> + +<p>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 apparent 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 Gen. +Kearney, who was further back in the lines. On coming +to the general, Kit Carson 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 American forces in California, besides +detailing to him what had already been accomplished in that quarter.</p> + +<p>After due deliberation, Gen. Kearney determined to +send Mr. Fitzpatrick on to Washington with the dispatches +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page278" id="page278"></a>[pg 278]</span> +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 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 has ever labored to win and wear +the confidence and respect of his countrymen, being +ambitious to leave a name behind him that shall be an +honor to his friends and family.</p> + +<p>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 Ranche, in California, +on the third day of December following. From +this place it took up a line of march for San Diego.</p> + +<p>While on their march, news was brought in by their +spies that a strong command of Mexican Californians had +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page279" id="page279"></a>[pg 279]</span> +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 month. General +Kearney made no change in his route, but advanced to +within fifteen miles 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 an Indian village.</p> + +<p>General Kearney determined, without delay to attack +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 command 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page280" id="page280"></a>[pg 280]</span> +enemy were killed. The remainder of the outpost were +driven in, bearing the news of the attack to their friends. +Captain Johnson, Kit Carson and fifteen American soldiers +formed the attacking party in this affair. They had +been ordered to secure the loose animals belonging to +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.</p> + +<p>This attack, however, proved to be the commencement +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 command since its arrival +in the country. Moore's command 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 foremost 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page281" id="page281"></a>[pg 281]</span> +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 over the field, he discovered a dead dragoon, not +far distant 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 complete 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, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page282" id="page282"></a>[pg 282]</span> +so far as the enemy was concerned, nearly harmless.</p> + +<p>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 +most determined courage. The Mexicans fought with a +bravery and success which turned the hitherto, comparatively +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.</p> + +<p>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 Mexicans charged right +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page283" id="page283"></a>[pg 283]</span> +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 reason, it would not go off. +Lieutenant Davidson did his utmost to prevent the loss +of this gun, and after several 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.</p> + +<p>After being thus badly cut up, and with not more +than one or two officers left who had not been either +killed or 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 apparently +weary of fighting for that day. The firing ceased, and +soon after, night closed over the scene of the battle field.</p> + +<p>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 +over-estimated, as they met their foes, at the commencement +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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page284" id="page284"></a>[pg 284]</span> +their opportunities for intercourse with the bold mariners +from different countries who visited them in ships +for the purpose of trade. This commerce consisted in +the transporting into the country of such articles as +arms, ammunition, groceries, and dry goods, for which +were bartered, hides, tallow, and furs. The currency of +California at that time was hides, which were estimated +as so many dollars. The raising of cattle and horses +was the leading employment of the people, and 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 dialects 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 renowned traveler. His +amusing stories of large ships and the men who managed +them, and also, of the great expanse 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 communities of men, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page285" id="page285"></a>[pg 285]</span> +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 believe that they are fabulous stories, and +will meet the narrator of them with equal wonders, which +they manufacture to suit the occasion. To give a specimen: +we remember one night to have tried to explain these +advancements to an old Mexican of some eighty winters, +while we were the guest of his house. He listened attentively, +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 famous hunter; and +that, on one occasion, while on the chase, he met <i>Adam</i>, +who, he informed us, was the greatest hunter of his +age. We were somewhat surprised 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 <i>Eve</i> +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 <i>Evil One</i>. Immediately, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page286" id="page286"></a>[pg 286]</span> +he informed me that at one time, that gentleman +lived in a salt marsh, which is to be found in the valley +of <i>San Louis</i>. 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 +nearly out of their senses by 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 Mexican 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 entirely 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page287" id="page287"></a>[pg 287]</span> +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 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 bye. 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 presume on too much +knowledge, his scalp might soon be dangling on some +lodge-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.</p> + +<p>The California Mexicans were so remote from their +capital, that, although they acknowledged their allegiance +to the general government, yet they were accustomed, in +many things, to act with great independence. Whenever +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page288" id="page288"></a>[pg 288]</span> +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 country 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 disobediences 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 vanquished. They were +taught differently by the Americans.</p> + +<p>These few cursory remarks will serve to show the +reader that General Kearney had no despicable foe to +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 look-out, also, was kept on the +movements of the enemy, who were continually receiving +reinforcements. A council of war was held in the +American camp, when Gen. Kearney, after taking the +advice of his remaining officers, decided to move on early +in the morning, with the hope of meeting reinforcements. +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 follows: Kit Carson, with a command of twenty-five +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page289" id="page289"></a>[pg 289]</span> +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 continually +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 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 manœuvering +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 Gen. 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 +decide the battle; but the wary Mexicans, on seeing the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page290" id="page290"></a>[pg 290]</span> +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 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 Gen. Kearney's force was now critical in the +extreme; as, besides 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 remained 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. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page291" id="page291"></a>[pg 291]</span> +Should he succeed, he pledged his word that he could +carry information 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.</p> + +<p>This gentleman, since the time he first turned landsman +up to the present date, has been adding fresh laurels +to his fame. His recent 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 adventures; while, to +the scientific world, he has proved a valuable acquisition. +To the United States Government his services are inestimable; +and, as an explorer, he has but few equals.</p> + +<p>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 disastrous; +for, in so doing, a sanguinary battle must certainly ensue, +with the chances greatly against him. Having made the +few preparations necessary, Kit Carson 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 stealthily crawling over the +rocks and brush, they found their shoes would often, +even with the greatest preventive care being taken, +strike against the various impediments to their progress +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page292" id="page292"></a>[pg 292]</span> +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 by one of the +sentinels riding up near to where they were, dismounting +from his horse and lighting, by his flint and steel, his +cigarretto. On seeing this, Kit Carson, who was just +ahead of Lieutenant Beale, pushed back his foot and +kicked softly his companion, as a signal 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 cigarretto; and, during these +moments of suspense, so quietly did Kit Carson and his +companion lie on the ground, that Carson said, and still +affirms, 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, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page293" id="page293"></a>[pg 293]</span> +as if guided by the hand of Providence, mounted his +horse and made off in a contrary direction from the one +where these bold adventurers were biding their time to +accept either good, if possible, or evil, if necessary, from +the wheel of fortune. 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 that +might present 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, +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 led to San Diego, +every one 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, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page294" id="page294"></a>[pg 294]</span> +deep into their bare feet, which, owing to the darkness +and the 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 +imminent 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 +unmistakable proof to the guard from whence they came. +On stating their important business, they were conducted +into the presence of Commodore Stockton, to whom they +related what we have tried to describe. Commodore +Stockton, with his usual promptitude, immediately 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page295" id="page295"></a>[pg 295]</span> +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 Gen. +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 Carson return, every man who knows him can +bear witness 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; and for treatment, was sent +on board the frigate Congress, which ship lay in the +harbor, being one of the vessels attached to the commodore'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 government for this +heroic deed, I hesitate not in saying, that it would have +had no effect in changing their purpose. The reinforcements +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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page296" id="page296"></a>[pg 296]</span> +a bright look-out 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 Kearney, with his +soldiers and the marines, marched on to San Diego, +where his wounded men were comfortably housed and +received the attentions of skillful surgeons.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page297" id="page297"></a>[pg 297]</span> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER XII.</h2> + +<blockquote><p> +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 Carson's Introduction to Col. Benton and Mrs. Fremont—Hospitality +offered to him at Washington—Kit Carson receives the Appointment of Lieutenant +in the Rifle Corps of the U.S. Army from President Polk—He is ordered to +carry Dispatches to California—The Journey—A Brush with the Camanche Indians—Arrival +at Santa Fé—More trouble with hostile Indians—Arrival at Los +Angelos—Dispatches delivered—Kit Carson is assigned to do Duty with the Dragoons—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. +</p></blockquote> + + +<p>One month elapsed before the forces of the United States +that were concentrated at San Diego were entirely 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 capturing Los Angelos. +The commanding officers of this force were General +Kearney and Commodore Stockton. At Los Angelos +was assembled the main strength of the Mexicans +then in California; the number of their fighting 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 on a hill, near +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page298" id="page298"></a>[pg 298]</span> +by where they had pitched their tents and strongly fortified +their camp. Between the Americans' 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 successfully 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 entering Los Angelos, they +found that it had been evacuated by the Mexicans, and +that only a few stragglers remained in or near the place. +From some of these they learned that the retreating +army had gone to attack Col. 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 Col. +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. Col. 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.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page299" id="page299"></a>[pg 299]</span> + +<p>We have said that the cold and dreary winter days +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 carefully +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 indorsement +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 surrendering +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 significant. +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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page300" id="page300"></a>[pg 300]</span> +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 the +reason of their preference in laying down their arms in their presence.</p> + +<p>Kit Carson took no active part in these unhappy differences, +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 behalf of his +country, meritorious actions and a great service. 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; the time has at last arrived when he should fully +and appropriately express his opinion, though that opinion +he is well aware has 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 recommendation 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-martialed 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 spontaneous 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.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page301" id="page301"></a>[pg 301]</span> + +<p>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 historical +facts, and, as such, are always open for investigation +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 Carson's actions, we will +give his own words in relating this part of his adventures. +He says: "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 of 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 recovered 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 more 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, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page302" id="page302"></a>[pg 302]</span> +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 positions. 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 approach 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 situation +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.</p> + +<p>Kit Carson and Lieutenant Beale arrived at Washington +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 exception +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 direction to shape +their course, but also to be familiar with the haunts and +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page303" id="page303"></a>[pg 303]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>The hardships and privations of this trip were trivial +affairs when compared to most of Kit Carson's previous +adventures, and not considered by him as worthy of mention. +Indeed, Kit Carson appears so hardened in all +kinds of vicissitudes, that a man, in his eyes, must have +stood on the brink of death before he has 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.</p> + +<p>It requires no small amount of courage and determination +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, eleven 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, he now +speaks of them as lightly as a man would after making +a journey of a few hundred miles in a railroad car. He +seems 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; +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page304" id="page304"></a>[pg 304]</span> +which, on reaching, he was ready to quit at a +moment's warning, with as much <i>sang froid</i> as a Russian +courier possesses when doing his master's bidding. Yet +so cautious is he when traveling, that, at first, to a new +companion, he often appears to be wanting in courage. +Not a bush, a tree, a rock, or any other hiding-place on +his path, escapes his notice. Towards the heavens, in +search of smoke ascending from, or crows, as they hover +about Indian encampments which are deserted, or for +ravens, and back again to the earth, on the look-out for +moccasin or horse tracks, his eyes are continually turning. +There is a nervous action about the man that +shows he is ever alive to meet and be ready for any +emergency. These traits are sure to instill confidence in his followers.</p> + +<p>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 unfrequently 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 was approaching, +not his family circle, but instead, the fireside +of strangers to whom he was only known by name. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page305" id="page305"></a>[pg 305]</span> +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. Benton, 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 invitation Kit +Carson availed himself, and since considers 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.</p> + +<p>Mrs. John C. Fremont, daughter of Colonel Benton, +and wife of the distinguished explorer, was in attendance +at the railroad dépôt, 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 dépôt, 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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page306" id="page306"></a>[pg 306]</span> +friend, but another to keep him; and those who knew +the true character of Mr. Benton are cognizant of the +fact, that he was not easily won; but, when gained, that +he was true as steel, as is beautifully illustrated by the +able and devoted manner in which he stood by General Andrew Jackson.</p> + +<p>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. +This acquisition Kit Carson holds. He easily makes a +friend, and never deserts him; hence, those, with whom +he comes in contact, who are worthy of this name, are +enrolled on his side; and he seldom has occasion to call +a man his enemy. Kit Carson was so embarrassed and +overcome by the expressions of kindness 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 presented of accepting Mrs. +Fremont's invitation. If there was anything wanted to +cement Carson more firmly in his friendship and admiration +for Colonel Fremont, 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 Franklin. 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 seemingly said:</p> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>"Go, wondrous creature! mount where science guides;</p> +<p>Go, measure earth, weigh air, and state the tides."</p> + </div> </div> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page307" id="page307"></a>[pg 307]</span> + +<p>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 +ordered, 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 +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 was furnished +with an escort of fifty men, who were volunteers +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 Camanche Indians +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.</p> + +<p>The "Point of Rocks" appears to be a favorite place +of resort for the Indians of the plains. It is notorious +as being one of the most dangerous places for the +traveler in all the far West. It is a series of continuous +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page308" id="page308"></a>[pg 308]</span> +hills, which project out on the prairies in bold relief. +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 is a chosen spot for the +Indians to lurk, in order to catch the unwary pilgrim. +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 desperate battles. +In making the journey to Santa Fé, when these rocks +are passed, the traveler counts his march as being drawn +to a close. Government troops, on the look-out for +Indians on the plains, rarely fail, when they come from +New Mexico, to give this place a visit.</p> + +<p>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 subsequent 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page309" id="page309"></a>[pg 309]</span> +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 being 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 instantly 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.</p> + +<p>In this affair three of the volunteers were wounded. +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 Camanches. But, +had it not been for Kit Carson and his men, Lieutenant +Mulony would have lost his cattle likewise.</p> + +<p>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 lame ox, +which had been turned out by some caravan to die. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page310" id="page310"></a>[pg 310]</span> +The disappointment which prevailed in this crowd of +neophyte hunters, on discovering this mistake, can be +better imagined 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.</p> + +<p>From signs discovered after the Indians had decamped, +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. This is a fair +sample of many of the Indian fights which have occurred, +and are yet not unfrequent, on the prairies; the object of +the savages is to plunder; therefore, an unguarded moment +is selected for their attacks. In this instance, by the time +the whites had got their firearms and men ready to commence +the contest, the Indians had perpetrated their intended assault and were off.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width:80%;"><a href="images/310-311.jpg"><img width="100%" src="images/310-311.jpg" alt="CAMANCHE WARRIOR." /></a>CAMANCHE WARRIOR.</div> + +<p>The Camanches are excelled by no men in the world +in their horsemanship, not excepting the famous Cossacks +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 Fé, without meeting with any +other adventures. At this town he left his escort of fifty +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page311" id="page311"></a>[pg 311]</span> +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. +Pursuing 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 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 treacherous 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 expiration 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 remainder, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page312" id="page312"></a>[pg 312]</span> +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 promptness of Kit Carson +saved his command. The success of fifteen men against +three hundred Indians in this manner, is chiefly due to their commander.</p> + +<p>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 Col. Mason, then of 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 do duty in the company 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 <i>papers</i> and <i>cargoes</i>. He +spent the winter in doing much good in this service. In +the spring, he was again ordered to proceed overland to +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page313" id="page313"></a>[pg 313]</span> +Washington, with dispatches. An escort being furnished +him, he was soon under way, and had reached Grand +River without encountering any serious difficulty. At +this place an accident happened to his party while crossing the river on rafts.</p> + +<p>During the early part of summer, the fording of +streams which have their source in the Rocky Mountains +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, leaving a wreck +behind that is fearfully grand to behold. The roaring +of these torrents as they come leaping past and over +every obstacle, resembles a low, rumbling thunder, which +is reechoed through the deep forests and cañons. 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 soldiers, 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page314" id="page314"></a>[pg 314]</span> +mules shared the same fate. In the prospective construction +of bridges for highroads and railroad tracks +across the continent, in certain seasons of the year, this +sudden accumulation and explosion of water may cause +trouble by sweeping them suddenly away.</p> + +<p>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 Lieutenant +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 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 unpleasant was, that they could not be replaced +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page315" id="page315"></a>[pg 315]</span> +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 suffering 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 themselves +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 this was true, and +so did not hazard a fight, but departed. Kit Carson +traveled that night ten miles further. It was late in the +day when he again ventured 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page316" id="page316"></a>[pg 316]</span> +for an engagement. At the end of this distance he fortunately +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 was sufficiently recruited, Kit +Carson left Taos and proceeded to Santa Fé. 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 advised 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: +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page317" id="page317"></a>[pg 317]</span> +"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 mountaineer. I +have gained some little honor and credit for the manner +in which I have always conducted myself when +detailed on any special and important business, and I +would on no account now wish to forfeit the good +opinion formed of me by a majority of my countrymen +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."</p> + +<p>The reasons 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 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 privates and the hardships which that commander +and his guide willingly submitted to during those years, +it is impossible to describe through reports. The whole +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page318" id="page318"></a>[pg 318]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>The appointment of civilians to the responsible duties of +a command in the United States army has, of late years, +become, in many instances, very unfortunate. 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 secluded, it is necessary to +appoint a certain per-centage 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 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 frontier work, men, to be capable +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page319" id="page319"></a>[pg 319]</span> +of taking command, are required to have great experience +in Indian strategy, and to become accustomed to +endure privations and vicissitudes. 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 Christopher Carson? But Kit Carson +could see no reason why the votes of the United States +Senators, refusing to confirm the President's effort to +reward him for his services to his country, should cause +him for one moment to swerve from his duty. He +pocketed at once his disappointment, and went to work. +Colonel Newby informed him that the Camanches had +of late been very hostile, and that they were then roaming +in war parties, numbering from two to three hundred, +scattered along the old Santa Fé road, on which +their depredations had, so far, been mostly committed. +On learning this, Kit Carson determined to make a trail of +his own, and endeavor thus to avoid them. He reduced +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 followed it down +stream. At about twenty-five miles 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page320" id="page320"></a>[pg 320]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>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 roaming 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 Camanche 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 desideratum 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 inexperienced traveler, are those +mirages which, on every clear day, are sure to meet and +delude his eyes. So 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page321" id="page321"></a>[pg 321]</span> +banks of some attractive lake. The outlines of the +palaces, 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 +intervening 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.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page322" id="page322"></a>[pg 322]</span> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER XIII.</h2> + +<blockquote><p> +Kit Carson at his Home—The Apache Indians become hostile—An Expedition sent +against them—It is not successful—Another is organized, 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 Massacre +of a Santa Fé Merchant—His Wife is made Prisoner—The Expedition 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 their +Animals—Kit Carson with thirteen others in the 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. +</p></blockquote> + + +<p>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 stationed in +New Mexico to protect its inhabitants. Colonel Beall +was at that time commanding officer of the district, and +had established his head-quarters at Taos. The colonel, +soon after assuming the command, being a resolute man, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page323" id="page323"></a>[pg 323]</span> +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 hesitate 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 jurisdiction 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 +endurance 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 +statement is, that nearly all their warriors <i>die in battle</i>. +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 junior +officer, backed by a strong force, with orders to pursue, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page324" id="page324"></a>[pg 324]</span> +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 undertaking was given +up, and the men were marched back to Taos.</p> + +<p>The most famous war chief of the Apaches, during +these troubles, was called by the Mexicans <i>Chico Velasques</i>, +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 Mexican hunter, Armador +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page325" id="page325"></a>[pg 325]</span> +Sanchez, of whom we have previously spoken. The circumstances +of this rencounter were as follows: The bold +Indian, with but few followers, 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 controlled no longer, and broke forth in +minor cruelties. At last he found himself in the house +belonging to Sanchez, 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 whisky 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 person 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 robbed 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 +whisky, 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page326" id="page326"></a>[pg 326]</span> +ounces, which he always carried to dispatch his game +with when it was in the last agonies of death. 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 savage answered +the Mexican hunter by saying, "that by chance they +might some day meet again;" a threat which fell harmless +at the feet of Sanchez. As he took his departure, +the chief added, in Spanish, "I will tell these things to my +father,<a id="footnotetag20" name="footnotetag20"></a><a href="#footnote20"><sup>20</sup></a> Kit Carson," as if further attempting 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. <i>Chico Velasques</i> +was followed in his chieftainship by <i>Blanco</i>, 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 influence 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page327" id="page327"></a>[pg 327]</span> +the truth of the Chinese adage, that "the tongue may +deceive, but the eye can never play the rogue."</p> + +<p>But to return to the narrative. The commanding officer +of the party sent out against these Indians, on arriving +again at Taos, reported to Col. 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 vocabulary, and that +nothing ought to be impossible for the 1st regiment of +United States dragoons to accomplish." Suiting his +actions to his words, Col. 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 mountains, and after a long and +fruitless search for the Indians, the men were obliged to +turn about, because their stock of provisions was running +low. As the command emerged through the "<i>Sangre +de Christo Pass</i>," 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 summons with the celerity wished for by their riders; +the result was that, besides a considerable amount of +plunder, only two persons were taken, but they, fortunately, +proved to be no less than two important chiefs. +In order to impress these Indians with the fairness and +liberality which his government wished to show to the +red men, after a long talk, in which the colonel exacted +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page328" id="page328"></a>[pg 328]</span> +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, Col. Beall made a direct march for Taos, +where he remained for some time, attending to the ordinary duties of his garrison.</p> + +<p>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 Indians +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, undoubtedly, unavoidable, +for even had the clause not been inserted in +the treaty, the maintenance of about the same frontier +military forces would have been necessary. It would +have proved a difficult matter to carry out this treaty to the letter.</p> + +<p>If it had been so carried out to the letter, the Camanches +would have been great sufferers, for at least one +third of the blood that now runs in their veins is Mexican. +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 themselves +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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page329" id="page329"></a>[pg 329]</span> +of their former habits and friends, they gradually become +the wild men of the plains. The female captives, on arriving +at the suitable age, are married to the young warriors +of the tribe, and thus the true Indian stock, becoming +amalgamated with the Mexico-Spanish blood, is fast +becoming degenerated. The reason, therefore, why the +fulfillment of this treaty would have militated strongly +against the Camanche Indians especially, is clearly apparent.</p> + +<p>In the following February, Col. Beall learned that on +the Arkansas River there were congregated a large body +of Indians, who had quite a number of Mexicans 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 Carson as his guide, he set +out on his mission. In due time he reached the Arkansas, +and there found congregated four tribes of Indians +who numbered in the vicinity of two 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, who was an experienced mountaineer, +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 certainly prove a failure, when such a large number +of well armed warriors were arrayed against him. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page330" id="page330"></a>[pg 330]</span> +It required 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 restoration of the captives.</p> + +<p>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 impressions +on the minds of the savages, in showing them that they +no longer had poorly clad and poorly armed Mexican soldiers to deal with.</p> + +<p>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 disabled 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 valley called by the +Mexicans <i>Rayado</i>. Maxwell proposed 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page331" id="page331"></a>[pg 331]</span> +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 dividing line, runs a broad mountain +stream, the banks of which are now metamorphosed into beautiful fields.</p> + +<p>We stop here to undeceive the reading public concerning +an idea which has gained currency by the extraordinary +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.</p> + +<p>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 are two which +are more conspicuous than the rest. In the finest of +these two, the owner of which has taken great pains and +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page332" id="page332"></a>[pg 332]</span> +spent much valuable time with its construction, lives +Maxwell, whose honest pride is the being master of a +model farm. In the residence next most to be admired +in Rayado, Kit Carson sometimes sojourns.</p> + +<p>The mansion which belongs 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 is built one story high, +in the shape of a hollow square, and has the size of an +ordinary block in a city. Around the whole runs a fine +veranda. With its lofty ceilings, large and airy rooms, +and its fine yard in the centre of the square, which is +well stored with its fowls, pigeons, and other pet animals, +with appropriate kennels; with antlers of noble buck +and elk; hams of venison, buffalo meat, wild turkeys, etc., +and near by a fine vegetable garden; altogether, it presents +a picture of sumptuous living rarely seen within the +pale of civilization. Maxwell counts his steeds and cattle +by hundreds, while his flocks of sheep are enumerated +by thousands. Near by stands Kit Carson's ranche, which, +though more modest, yet, when the hunter occupies it, +in dead game and comfort, it fully rivals its compeer. +Around these two hunters live a handful of Mexican +friends, who are either engaged in agricultural pursuits +for themselves, or else in the employ of the "lords of +the manor," Carson and Maxwell.</p> + +<p>In this his residence at Rayado, Kit Carson is only +kept from spending his whole time by business for which +his tastes are 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page333" id="page333"></a>[pg 333]</span> +had been committing a most wicked murder, the details +of which are horrible in the extreme. A merchant by +the name of White, who was engaged in business at +Santa Fé, 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 Fé 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 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.</p> + +<p>Red River and its great cañon has always been to the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page334" id="page334"></a>[pg 334]</span> +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 between 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 establish ranches in its vicinity, +have been warmly contested by the Camanches, who +have killed several persons who have dared to essay such attempts.</p> + +<p>The intelligence of this terrible butchery having been +carried to New Mexico, a command was organized in hot +haste, which had for its object the immediate rescue of +Mrs. White from her bondage, worse than death. Two +men went with this party as guides, named Leroux and +Fisher. Watkins Leroux is an old and famous trapper +and mountaineer, whose reputation and skill as a guide +in the far West, is second only to Kit Carson's. A few +of his warm partisans, who are 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 has guided several +parties over new routes with meritorious success. His +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page335" id="page335"></a>[pg 335]</span> +knowledge of Indian character is nearly equal to that possessed +by Kit Carson, and he is endowed with a wonderful +amount of forethought and prudence; but, in an Indian +fight, or on any great emergency, his faculties appear to +be less active, and his judgment less certain, than those +exhibited by the great Nestor of the Rocky Mountains. +It is a well 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 champion. 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 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 it +is almost forgotten. It is a just tribute of praise due to +both of these brave men, to say that they do not sanction, +by word or deed, either party to the controversy. +They could but appreciate each other, and, as friends, +ever felt elated, the one at the success of the other, and +<i>vice versâ</i>. 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 chivalry. Their ranches are located in the same +valley, and in the same town; where, having lived together +as fast friends in life, in all probability they will +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page336" id="page336"></a>[pg 336]</span> +find their last resting-places in the same graveyard. +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.</p> + +<p>With Leroux and Fisher employed as guides, the expedition +for the rescue of Mrs. White set out on its +route, and, on its journey, passed by Rayado. Kit Carson +immediately proffered his services for the expedition. +They were accepted, but, much to the surprise of many +of the party, instead of being at once placed in the position +which his great experience demanded, 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 little 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, 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 experience 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 counsellor, +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.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page337" id="page337"></a>[pg 337]</span> + +<p>A few years subsequent to the transpiring of this murder +and the skirmish which succeeded it, we traveled +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 judgment 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 succeeded, he would, doubtless, +have been himself, and carried everything through +with success. This is no mere assertion, for his long and +well tried military career warrants us in this belief. We +have the greatest respect for this gentleman, and consider +him a very able man; but, as a biographer, we are +called upon to narrate the facts as they come to us. If +he had succeeded, everything would have been considered +as well done; but he failed, and the cause of his failure is plain.</p> + +<p>The party being thus constituted, and no delay having +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 was 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 describes this as +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page338" id="page338"></a>[pg 338]</span> +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 preconcerted 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 belonged to +Mrs. White. By these signs, they were led to believe +that she still lived. Although these things would be +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 increased. At last, the +camp, and even the persons of the savages, became +visible to the foremost of the pursuers; 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 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 instead, the command had halted. +The cause of this curious order being given, at such a +precarious moment, was, as he afterwards learned, +brought about by the advice of the chief guide, who +told the commanding officer that the Indians wished to +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page339" id="page339"></a>[pg 339]</span> +have a parley. On seeing what was transpiring behind +him, Kit Carson 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 concocting. 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 commanding officer in the breast, and bent +him forward. Those around him, for a little while, supposed +that he had received a mortal wound. Still, he +retained his seat in the saddle, but could not speak. +Thus again was precious time lost, as the party, during +this time, were virtually 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.</p> + +<p>This accident assisted in preventing this well known +military man from inflicting such a blow on these savages, +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. Unfortunately, the +time had passed to accomplish the desired effect when +this order was given, for, on arriving among the lodges, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page340" id="page340"></a>[pg 340]</span> +the men found only one warrior. He, as a matter of +course, was slain. The body of Mrs. White was also +found in the camp. Life was extinct, though her soul +had but just flown to heaven. There was still warmth in +the corpse when the men first discovered 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.</p> + +<p>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" says Kit 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 redskins +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 +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 captivity. +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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page341" id="page341"></a>[pg 341]</span> +defeated in what had been our cherished hopes even +had it cost some of us our own lives."</p> + +<p>By this language it can be readily seen that Kit Carson +regretted the failure of this attempt made to rescue +Mrs. White as deeply as any one, either in the expedition, +or among her friends at the home from which she +had so recently, in health and happiness, been torn. +"Yet I cannot," says Kit Carson, "blame the commanding +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 animals. +Many of these savages ran away leaving behind +them everything they possessed in the world, except the +scanty amount of clothing they had on.</p> + +<p>For six miles they were pursued over the level prairies +when another brave was killed, several wounded +and three children taken prisoners. The horses belonging +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 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 belonged, knowing +he lived not very far off, had prayed to have him make +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page342" id="page342"></a>[pg 342]</span> +his appearance and assist in freeing her. He wished +that it might have been so, but consoled himself by thinking +that he had performed his duty." While on their +route back to Taos, the command 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 bewildered 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 <i>Las Vegas</i> in New Mexico; but, during the +tramp, one man had been frozen to death and others had come near to perishing.</p> + +<p>After arriving in the settlements; the party learned +from some friendly Indians, that the Apaches had suffered +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 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 Indian has his moral code of +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page343" id="page343"></a>[pg 343]</span> +laws which, in many respects, is not surpassed by those +of his pale-faced brother. They have their civil chief +who is responsible 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.</p> + +<p>There are many people who believe that the Indians, +as a race, have been greatly sinned against, and to sustain +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 them without prejudice. The Great Spirit has endowed +his red children with reason, the same in quality +as possessed by any other race, but their habits, mode of +life and experience is of such a kind, that, when taken, +as a whole, they are truly original. Looking upon this +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page344" id="page344"></a>[pg 344]</span> +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 between the extremes.</p> + +<p>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 contrast +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, during one of these +seasons, that the roads are so blocked up by snow that +human ingenuity cannot overcome the obstacle; for the +wind drifts the snow, rendering the path clear at intervals +which vary in their area. The poor mail parties are +the ones who experience this undesirable life; and, in +their attempts to make their journeys, they are often +driven near to death's door, although every precaution is +taken to make the transit safe. The mules of these parties +are well protected with india rubber coverings which +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page345" id="page345"></a>[pg 345]</span> +are lined with blankets, and, so snugly are they made to +fit every available part of the animal, that it seems +almost impossible for cold to touch them. Corn and fodder, +to a limited extent, is transported; but, even with +these precautions, the mules now and then succumb to +cold. The man covers his body with warm clothing and +carries with him furs and robes enough to be seemingly +able to defy the storms. He can provide himself only +with a scanty amount of fuel, for his means of conveyance +are very contracted. When overtaken by the +storms, which may last several days, he is rendered +almost powerless, and is at the tender mercies of the gale; +for he cannot make fires,—and without them he may +perish. This is not true of every trip made across the +plains during the winter, for, like on the ocean, the passage +may be frequently gone through with the encountering +of but little real suffering. One thing in favor of +making the journey in this season of the year is, 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 find the item of meeting +Indians to be of considerable importance, as, even in the +time of peace, they are very exacting and troublesome, +demanding that provisions should be given them, by way +of toll. To refuse is apt to bring down their ire, when +they will usually help themselves to whatever suits their +fancy. They are very partial to sugar, which, when +they cannot say the word in English, they call "Shoog." +If not understood, they make their wants known by the +Indian sign of touching with the index finger the tip of +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page346" id="page346"></a>[pg 346]</span> +the tongue, thereby indicating the sweetness of the +article. Many of them come armed with a piece of +paper, which testimonial 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 <i>bonâ fide</i> penmanship. +I once saw one of these documents which the +owner prized very highly, but, had he known the purport +of his paper, he would have sighed for the scalp of +his <i>kind friend</i> who wrote it. The language was as follows: +"Crossing of the Arkansas," etc. "The bearer, +<i>Young Antelope</i>, 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 answered 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.</p> + +<p>On arriving at Taos, Kit Carson left this party and +proceeded to Rayado, where he was, soon after, actively +engaged in farming pursuits.</p> + +<p>During the subsequent winter, a detachment of ten +dragoons under the command of sergeant Holbrook was +stationed at Rayado to protect the little settlement. 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 men there to look +after and guard the property. The cold months were +passed in peace and quiet, but, in the spring the marauding +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page347" id="page347"></a>[pg 347]</span> +Apaches came, and, after wounding 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 injuries, and gave +information of what had happened to himself and companion. +On learning these facts, Kit Carson, the dragoons +and three of the settlers, immediately proceeded +to the ranche. 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 mountain 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, the Indians were discovered moving +on the prairie a long way in advance. There remained +nothing but an open chase.</p> + +<p>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 belonging to +the pursuers gave out, completely 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 enough to the warriors to +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page348" id="page348"></a>[pg 348]</span> +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 pertinacity that they allowed themselves +to be overtaken. A running fight was immediately +commenced which became most exciting, as well as +dangerous, to the participants; but, all the more exciting +because thus dangerous. The Indians were all skillful +horsemen and fought with great dexterity. Their animals +being comparatively fresh, in this respect they had +the advantage. Notwithstanding this fact, the pursuing +party administered 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.</p> + +<p>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."</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page349" id="page349"></a>[pg 349]</span> + +<p>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 company 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.</p> + +<p>The other person referred to as having been since +killed by this tribe of Apaches was a brave and experienced +trapper, well known throughout the range of +Indian depredations as a fearless and dangerous adversary. +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 +ranche. When he was attacked, New was engaged tilling +the soil on his own farm. The rascally Indians surrounded +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 foremost +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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page350" id="page350"></a>[pg 350]</span> +almost superhuman efforts to effect his escape, using the +rifle as a club; wound after wound was given him in +rapid succession in return for the desperate blows which +he dealt with the rifle. His efforts, however, proved +futile. Gradually the red blood was gathered from his +body and drank up by the soil to which he looked for +the sustenance of himself and family, until 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.</p> + +<p>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 journey +was safely accomplished, Kit Carson and Goodel arriving +at the fort, with their animals all in good condition, sometime +in the following June. They remained here about +one month disposing of their animals at good bargains.</p> + +<p>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 following +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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page351" id="page351"></a>[pg 351]</span> +famous Kit Carson was at the fort. The result was that +every man, woman and child, as fast as they arrived at +the fort, were eager to gratify their curiosity 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 decide) 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 +individual fresh from the cane-brakes 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 <i>bonâ fide</i> 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 Carson, +he thus interrogated him. "I say, stranger, are you Kit +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page352" id="page352"></a>[pg 352]</span> +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 ideal of the great +mountaineer did not compare with the man whom he thus +faced. This momentary hesitation resulted in the conviction +that he was being deceived. The conviction, at +last, took form in words. Rolling an immense quid of +his beloved Indian weed from one cheek to its brother +he said, "Look 'ere <i>stranger</i>, you can't come that over +me any how. You ain't the kind of Kit Carson I am looking for."</p> + +<p>This was too much for Kit Carson to hear without +treating the person addressed to his <i>beau ideal</i> 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, seemingly, +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 Carson was.</p> + +<p>From the time Kit Carson's name began to be +heralded throughout the world up to the present date, +impostors have presented themselves in various cities; +and, acting on the credulity of the people, they have +palmed themselves off as the individual of whom we +write; but, from the perusal of this work, it can be seen +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page353" id="page353"></a>[pg 353]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>Within the past few years, a stranger one day presented +himself in the quiet town of Taos, and, being a +fellow of 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 introduction; +and, after a short conversation, a wag present +was tempted, by the fellow's boasting, to quiz him. +Addressing the traveler he asked, "What part of the +world, pray sir, do you come from?"</p> + +<p>The answer was prompt.</p> + +<p>"I kum from the Cheyenne Nation. I've been living +with them Injins fur several years. Indeed, I consider +myself more of an Injin than a white man."</p> + +<p>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 +Cheyenne Indians, or any other Indians. When he was +apparently off of his guard, the wag resumed his questioning.</p> + +<p>"I presume, stranger, you accompany the Cheyennes +when they go out on war parties, as you say that you have turned warrior."</p> + +<p>The reply was:</p> + +<p>"When they go out 'gainst t'other Injins, I do; but +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page354" id="page354"></a>[pg 354]</span> +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."</p> + +<p>"Oh ho! that is the way you manage!" exclaimed the wag.</p> + +<p>"Yes! and I've bin the means of saving some scalps +for my race too, fur the Injins believe in me, they do," continued the fellow.</p> + +<p>The wag resumed—</p> + +<p>"Perhaps, stranger, you have heard of Kit Carson. +It is said he is on the prairies somewhere, either dead or alive."</p> + +<p>The fellow answered:</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>Here the fellow lowered his voice and said, as if exemplifying sympathy.</p> + +<p>"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 everything. +However, I made him happy by giving him my gun and +powder-horn. With them, you know, he will git along anywhere!"</p> + +<p>All hands, except Kit Carson, joined in the laugh at +the fellow's impudence. Kit Carson's patience was exhausted +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.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page355" id="page355"></a>[pg 355]</span> + +<p>By way of episode, and while story-telling keeps its +hold on our pen, we may as well relate a short anecdote, +which, though it does not form any close connection 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.</p> + +<p>A German accidentally wandered out to and located +himself in company with others on or near the Greenhorn +River, which is one of the tributaries of the Arkansas. +Their business was trading with the Mormons, many of +whom at that time traveled to Salt Lake, by what is +known as the Arkansas River route. In so doing, 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 exceedingly afraid of rattlesnakes, +and those he was associated with, by way of +amusement, delighted in augmenting 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 Mormons 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 had +intended to barter. The German, 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. The string of the bag of rice +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page356" id="page356"></a>[pg 356]</span> +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 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 a while, +he brought him to a stand-still, and turned to look for +his retreating enemy, but instead, found the origin and +cause of the mischief. His loss was irrecoverable, 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.</p> + +<p>The labor of settling up their business at Fort Laramie +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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page357" id="page357"></a>[pg 357]</span> +German's adventure with a rattle-snake, they were +obliged to be very wary in their progress, for Kit had +learned that the Apache Indians were out on the warpath, +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 Greenhorn, 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 subject of his earnest attention. +They had come thus far 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 counselled +the retracing 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 Mexican +had left him—he broke up his little camp on the +Greenhorn, and set out upon his dangerous journey.</p> + +<p>By taking a zigzag course, avoiding, in the mountains, +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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page358" id="page358"></a>[pg 358]</span> +had not sufficient confidence in the quickness 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 prospect of the +surrounding country. After several days passed without +having proper rest, Kit, in the monotony 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 endangered his neck. +One day, while thus employed, he was perched in the +highest branches of a lofty old cotton-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 informed 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 darkness and the level country which lay before +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page359" id="page359"></a>[pg 359]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 flows +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 external 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page360" id="page360"></a>[pg 360]</span> +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 pleasure 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 +himself 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 <i>hare</i> in that vicinity +of country, his answer was, that he had seen 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 grasshopper that, with his +head cut off, weighed <i>six ounces</i>. Notwithstanding his +love of talk, this old man had once been a brave and +famous hunter; but no confidence 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.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page361" id="page361"></a>[pg 361]</span> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER XIV.</h2> + +<blockquote><p> +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 Fé 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 and they two make the +Arrest of Fox—Gratitude expressed 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 return 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. +</p></blockquote> + + +<p>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 informed +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 stole 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 attempt 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 application to the +commanding officer of the territory, who promptly dispatched +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page362" id="page362"></a>[pg 362]</span> +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 satisfaction of returning to its owners.</p> + +<p>Kit Carson remained through the following summer +months at his ranche at Rayado, busying himself in +efforts to improve his house and lands.</p> + +<p>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 anything +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 occasion, 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page363" id="page363"></a>[pg 363]</span> +weather eye was always 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 mountain home Kit was often visited by +Indian friends who came to smoke the pipe of peace +with him and enjoy his hospitality. When thus surrounded +by rival hunters 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 appearance of everything that pertained to him.</p> + +<p>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, unsurpassed +in richness and fertility, was a safe and sure +depository for his seeds, telling him, in its silent, but unmistakable +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 unerring 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.</p> + +<p>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 +painting is one which we find beautiful to the sight and +which is rich in its lessons of life. But these deductions +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page364" id="page364"></a>[pg 364]</span> +must be left for the sensitive and honest hearted imagination +to draw. It is not fitting to add them to these +pages, however truthful they may be, until the last sad +rites which are measured out to all, shall have been performed +for the brave man of whom we write, and his +noble soul shall have winged its flight to the happier +hunting grounds of eternity.</p> + +<p>The duties of farming and hunting were only once +interrupted during the 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. To accomplish +this, he assumed the character and duties of a +detective police officer. The circumstances of the case were as follows.</p> + +<p>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 purpose +of enlisting among his band of desperadoes, a fellow +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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page365" id="page365"></a>[pg 365]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>Until the machinery of law and order begins to work +smoothly, these fellows, in their new homes, have every +thing 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 punishment. +Often, by thus making an example of a 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 practices 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page366" id="page366"></a>[pg 366]</span> +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 +favorable with her sister (and older) territories.</p> + +<p>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 +apprehend Fox for debt. To this proposition Kit Carson replied in the negative.</p> + +<p>On hearing Kit's indignant refusal to be employed in +such a menial undertaking, the officer concluded to lay +the true state of the case before him, who, he naturally +enough thought, could, above all others in that territory, +devise some plan that would result in rescuing +Brevoort and Weatherhead from their impending fate. +Here it may be proper for us to add that the officer +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 thoroughly, +he came to the conclusion that Fox and his companions +contemplated committing the crime on the Cimaron River.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page367" id="page367"></a>[pg 367]</span> + +<p>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 as 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, there are +many curious piles of stones, which are scattered 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 +inhabitants of the plains, when they started into New +Mexico on some marauding incursion. These latter +persons believe that the Indians were unacquainted +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 quitting Rayado +Kit Carson struck out on the open prairies.</p> + +<p>By making an expeditious march, Kit Carson felt that +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page368" id="page368"></a>[pg 368]</span> +the traders could yet be saved. His party consisted 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 imitated. 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 reinforce +the regiments of the army which were stationed in that territory.</p> + +<p>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 dépôts +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 are rarely sent at +the same time, or as the same command of men. These +recruits are a hard set to manage, especially when +traveling through the States, where they are exposed +to temptation. On arriving at the commencement of +their hardships, on the plains, it is usually found that +many have deserted, and also that many might have +done so with benefit to the government. Military service +with recruits, and the same with old soldiers, are +two different things. With the former, officers are +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page369" id="page369"></a>[pg 369]</span> +obliged to command, threaten and punish, to accomplish +in one day, what the latter would perform without 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, being, for the +most part, foreigners by birth, and are just as apt to +load a gun with the ball of the cartridge first down, as +with the powder. Old soldiers look upon these new +comers as verdant in the extreme, 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 +to be the strangest fact of all, frequently the poorest +looking recruit may make the best soldier. This is +a fair picture of the men Capt. Ewell was commanding.</p> + +<p>Kit Carson at once informed the captain of the duty +he was on, when that distinguished officer, generously +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 precaution 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 became assured of the truth of +what they heard. They then selected fifteen men whom +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page370" id="page370"></a>[pg 370]</span> +they knew to be innocent, and ordered the remainder of +their escort, numbering 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 reward sufficient for him to have been instrumental +in saving the lives of two worthy citizens, and +that he could not think of receiving one cent of money."</p> + +<p>A long colloquy was held that night around a good +camp fire, that was freely fed with "buffalo chips."<a id="footnotetag21" name="footnotetag21"></a><a href="#footnote21"><sup>21</sup></a> At +midnight, most of the party were asleep, and nothing +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 appearance of +day-light, 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 taken to +Captain Ewell's camp, then he was turned over to Kit +Carson, who conveyed him to Taos, where he was imprisoned +for some time; but was finally released, 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 establish. In this +instance, the difficulty was greatly augmented from the +fact that the witnesses in the case, as soon as they heard +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page371" id="page371"></a>[pg 371]</span> +of Fox's capture, scattered and left for parts unknown. +He was finally set at liberty.</p> + +<p>At that day the keeping of a prisoner in close confinement +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 converted into +jails, were the common <i>adobe</i> houses of the inhabitants. +From these a wide awake and determined prisoner with +the free use of his hands, and the assistance of the +smallest kind of a tool, as a jack-knife 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 intentions, and with so +much trouble to bring him to trial, it was greatly regretted, +that he did not receive a suitable punishment. As +soon as he was set free, Fox made his way out of the +country; but his further history is not known.</p> + +<p>The general impression left upon the minds of the people +who were familiar with the minutiæ of this affair +was, that Fox was guilty. As he was known to be 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 proceed +to Texas, where, as he was there entirely unknown, +he hoped to enjoy the rewards of his rascality.</p> + +<p>This valuable service rendered to Messrs. Brevoort and +Weatherhead, was most gracefully and handsomely rewarded +by them. In the course of the following spring, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page372" id="page372"></a>[pg 372]</span> +they presented Kit with a pair of magnificent revolvers. +Upon the silver mountings, there were engraved a very +few, but expressive words, indicating the obligations +which the donors considered themselves laboring under +towards their deliverer. Such a testimonial 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 prizes very highly; and, the donors +may here learn the fact that, in the hands of their owner, +they have since been duly initiated into active service, and +found to perform their necessary duties most admirably.</p> + +<p>After the task of the arrest of Fox was thus successfully +undertaken and consummated, by his being +securely 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 employment 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 from necessity. He always found a large +number of hungry mouths ready to relieve him from any +superabundance of game; and, as his hospitality to all +classes is unbounded, he took especial 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.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page373" id="page373"></a>[pg 373]</span> + +<p>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 unusually 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 advantage 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 unfortunately, 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 Carson'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 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 command sympathy and forbearance.</p> + +<p>The young men who belong to the Cheyenne nation, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page374" id="page374"></a>[pg 374]</span> +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. These Indians wear their hair +in a long cue à la Chinese style. They take great pleasure +in ornamenting this cue with innumerable 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 different colored flannel, +fancy leggins and bead decorations, and finally (as I once +saw one) with a red cotton umbrella, they represent the +very Paris tip of Indian fashion. 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 seclude 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 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page375" id="page375"></a>[pg 375]</span> +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 pursuit of them.</p> + +<p>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 appear as if +the person who ordered its execution or perhaps courageously +performed it himself, might have reflected, that a +savage, least of all men, allows a supposed injury done to +him or his tribe to pass by unrevenged, and also that it is +a matter of perfect indifference 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 +overbearing and insolent manner, the bands of Indians +with whom they chance to come into contact. For +these insults 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 concerned, +for no man could be better fitted to deal with +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.</p> + +<p>As soon as the whites were discovered, the Indians +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page376" id="page376"></a>[pg 376]</span> +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 vigilance, 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 actions, he went into camp, and invited +these advance parties 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.</p> + +<p>At the time we now speak of, several years, as the +reader can readily compute, had elapsed since Kit Carson +was a hunter at Bent's Fort, and then well known +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page377" id="page377"></a>[pg 377]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>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 understand +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 future, they could shield +themselves by laying the massacre, which they were +about to commit, on the shoulders of that tribe. This is +a ruse often employed by the Indians; but, in this case, +in their heated state they forgot 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 fluently and who was +with Carson during these trying scenes, informed the +writer, on one occasion, that he never fully knew or +appreciated Kit Carson until this occurrence. "Why," +said he in his enthusiasm, "Kit knew just what was to +be done and did it too. With any other man, we +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page378" id="page378"></a>[pg 378]</span> +would <i>have gone under</i><a id="footnotetag22" name="footnotetag22"></a><a href="#footnote22"><sup>22</sup></a> 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 <i>leaving my +head</i>. 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."</p> + +<p>As soon as the Indians, in their excitement, began to +speak their own language, they became very violent, and +so unguarded were they in expressing their individual +sentiments that they treated Kit and his party with perfect +indifference, and openly, though secretly as they +thought, arranged for the massacre.</p> + +<p>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 attentively +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 weapons. 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 as 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page379" id="page379"></a>[pg 379]</span> +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 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 defend 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page380" id="page380"></a>[pg 380]</span> +orders for them to leave his camp, and should any one +refuse, he would be shot. The Indians were completely +nonplused, and not feeling inclined to risk a fight without +their usual accompaniment of a surprise, after saying +something about returning, to 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 memories, began to recollect some of the +daring deeds which Kit Carson had performed when he +lived in their country. 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 wagons so that they could resume their journey.</p> + +<p>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 in 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 pistols so adjusted that he +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page381" id="page381"></a>[pg 381]</span> +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 +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 antelope, +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 remainder +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 wagons +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 locality, 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page382" id="page382"></a>[pg 382]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>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 +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.</p> + +<p>Eat 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 the 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.</p> + +<p>The New Mexicans of the north are famous as being +very fleet of foot, and the great distance which they can +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page383" id="page383"></a>[pg 383]</span> +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 to some +distant point. Their charge is wrapped up in a handkerchief +and tied about their waists 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 reward +of one or two dollars per diem. It is not uncommon 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 complete 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 present. 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page384" id="page384"></a>[pg 384]</span> +about to part with, having detailed him for a very important duty.</p> + +<p>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, 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 bye, with the words, "be sure and leave a +good many miles between us, by to-morrow'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 travelling 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 informed them, "that the night +before he had sent an express to Rayado, for the purpose +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page385" id="page385"></a>[pg 385]</span> +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 relief, and, if they should find that his party +was massacred, which he let the Indians know could +only be accomplished 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 they +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 +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 expressman'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 +Rayado, 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page386" id="page386"></a>[pg 386]</span> +ordered Lieutenant R. Johnston, his subaltern 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 informed, 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, as thus reinforced, +again started, and 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 travelled in safety to Rayado, where he had +the pleasure of thanking Major Grier for his praise worthy +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 performed +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.</p> + +<p>Kit Carson's thorough knowledge of Indian character +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page387" id="page387"></a>[pg 387]</span> +and his established bravery and integrity ought, it appears +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 +was certainly entitled while pursuing the necessary +though hazardous business, connected with the commerce of the plains.</p> + +<p>Never, throughout his eventful career, had Kit Carson +refused to offer his services in the cause of a countryman +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 +are not acquainted with the character of Kit Carson, he +is 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 of the marked +discretion that has so far coupled itself with Kit Carson's +fame. An amusing incident which came under the eye +of the writer is to the point.</p> + +<p>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 +unacquainted with the country to be passed over, and as +they were anxious to place themselves in a safe position, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page388" id="page388"></a>[pg 388]</span> +some one proposed that Kit Carson should be employed +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 Indian 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.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page389" id="page389"></a>[pg 389]</span> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER XV.</h2> + +<blockquote><p> +Kit Carson's last Trapping Expedition—He embarks in a Speculation—His Trip to +California with a large Flock of Sheep—The Method employed 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 desperate Fight with them—The Soldiers +defeated with severe loss—Davidson's Bravery is unjustly questioned—Kit Carson's +Opinion of it—The Apaches elated by their Victory—Their Imitations of the +Actions of Military Men. +</p></blockquote> + + +<p>The expedition into the United States which terminated +with the last chapter, proved to be valuable in its results +so far as the parties engaged in it were concerned. 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 a 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 invariably take form in +actions. This eager longing resulted, therefore, in the +forming of a regular trapping expedition after the olden +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page390" id="page390"></a>[pg 390]</span> +style, shape, etc, which he organized 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 collecting eighteen of his old companions. +No one among them was not entitled to be called a +mountaineer. Kit looked upon this party of men with +an eye of real affection. The meeting previous to the +start was a scene to behold. Such a greeting of old +friends, well tried and true, will not soon be again seen +on the American continent. The day when men went +trapping was "long time ago." Kit Carson, as he stood +among this band of friends, the acknowledged leader of +the party, every man of whom he knew would have +periled his life for either one of the company, felt that, +indeed, the days of his youth had returned unto him.</p> + +<p>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 boy's 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. Onward, 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 Carson has +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page391" id="page391"></a>[pg 391]</span> +often said, were the shortest he ever traveled. The +way was beguiled by many a recollection in which every +man present could participate with a relish, keen as +disuse alone can render the palate of enjoyment. In a +short time the well-remembered waters of the South +Fork of the River Platte were descried. Their +practised 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 continued working +down this stream through the plains of Laramie to the +New Park; and from thence, on to the Old Park. We +cannot follow them through this long and enlivening +hunt. They trapped a large number of their old +streams until, finally, the expedition was terminated on +the Arkansas River. Throughout the whole course the +hunt proved to be very successful. With a large stock +of furs they returned in safety to Rayado, via the Raton +Mountains, which are spurs of the great Rocky chain.</p> + +<p>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 throughout the +trapping expeditions of his earlier life. It is to be supposed +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page392" id="page392"></a>[pg 392]</span> +that with Kit he has acquired some experience. +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 +minutiæ of toil which he must expect to encounter and undergo.</p> + +<p>On striking any river, when on the hunt, the trappers +are accustomed to keep a bright lookout for signs, often +heretofore referred to. The word "signs" conveys 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 equalled on board of whale-ships when the +man at the lookout cries "<i>there she blows</i>". It rarely happens +that this cunning, 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 defend himself when surprised and attacked; but, +what is better, she has endowed him with exceedingly +sensitive 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, +ineffaceable. These were only to be detected and used +for his own purposes, by the superior intellect of man. +The unequalled 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 tails the earth, together with innumerable +foot-prints and sometimes dams, were the items +which filled up the catalogue of "signs" on which the +trappers' vision was regaled after long and dangerous +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page393" id="page393"></a>[pg 393]</span> +tramps in search of them. These "signs" were not +always found together; but instead, they each could +exist separately and thus would arouse the hunter's suspicions +of the 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 footprint, +with its neatly defined claw-tracks, as moulded in the +moistened earth or sand, was of a greater importance +than the wonderful and striking workmanship exhibited +in a dam; for, the latter might be old and deserted, +whereas, the former was too recent to cause him to be +deceived with such a sign; and in such a vicinity, he +hesitated not to set his trap.</p> + +<p>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 neighborhood +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 animal +has a wiser object in view; and, it consists in providing +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 animation. +He therefore chooses a place favorable for obtaining food, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page394" id="page394"></a>[pg 394]</span> +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 falls giant 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 transporting +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 a 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 trapper related many pages back, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page395" id="page395"></a>[pg 395]</span> +they imitate human beings 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 preserve tender and fresh the +limbs and shrubs on which to 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 beaver 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 individuals among them roll in +wealth 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 difference between the two +being, that the former enjoyed himself more in the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page396" id="page396"></a>[pg 396]</span> +water than the latter did on it in his favorite <i>gondola</i>.</p> + +<p>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 +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 removing every particle of dirt. We remember +seeing one of these pets in the Mexican town of <i>Culebro</i> +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."</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page397" id="page397"></a>[pg 397]</span> +the idea that much of their good or bad fortune depended +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 with their rifles. For many years a rifle was +condemned at first sight if it did not have the name of +Hawkins<a id="footnotetag23" name="footnotetag23"></a><a href="#footnote23"><sup>23</sup></a> 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 degree +of superiority, to style them "regular Hawkins <i>horses</i>", +thereby showing how far, in this respect, their predilections grounded their opinions.</p> + +<p>The setting of the trap required expertness and experience, +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 prevent its being +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. Everything +being arranged, the trap is set and the bait +applied, 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, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page398" id="page398"></a>[pg 398]</span> +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 of 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 <i>full dress</i> 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 meagre in the extreme, yet it answers all of +his purposes and the man would 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 woollen shirts, a loose, fringed buckskin +coat and an old slouched hat (usually made of some kind +of skin with the fur on). His baggage, limited 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,<a id="footnotetag24" name="footnotetag24"></a><a href="#footnote24"><sup>24</sup></a> 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page399" id="page399"></a>[pg 399]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>The party did not return to their homes until several +months had expired, and, as much of the excitement that +used to pertain to their former exploits had been worn +off from the changes brought about by civilization, 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 bye.</p> + +<p>Kit Carson, after disposing of his beaver, occupied +himself in attending to his ranche, and was thus employed +when news was brought to New Mexico of the +exorbitant prices which sheep were bringing in California. +He made up his mind to embark in a speculation +in those animals by collecting a herd and driving it +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page400" id="page400"></a>[pg 400]</span> +to that territory. He set out for the valley of Rio +Abajo, which lies to the south of Santa Fé, 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 followed the +emigrant road that leads direct into California 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.</p> + +<p>The making of these long journeys with such large +herds of sheep, over a diversified country, sometimes +abounding in water and grass, while on the other hand, +and not unfrequently, for many miles, the earth is barren, +is a difficult task. When broad, deep and swift +rivers are to be forded, it requires dexterity and management to prevent heavy losses.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page401" id="page401"></a>[pg 401]</span> +Taos, Kit Carson's starting-point, to Laramie River, is +counted by hundreds of miles; and in this great tract of +country, there live 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 Indians expect that this sort of attention +will be shown them. They do not like, at all seasons of +the year, to 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 certainly +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page402" id="page402"></a>[pg 402]</span> +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 punish 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 hundred squaws, mounted on +horseback, overtook him and dashed into his herd, and +with savage delight put 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 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.</p> + +<p>In the Rocky Mountains, the Indian women are rather +small in stature, but, from their constant exercise they +are physically very strong. They are naturally not +wanting in modesty; but, being compelled to work and +even engage in war, they soon become roughened and +hardened. Their dresses consist principally of deer skins, +and sometimes they are very tastefully arranged. They +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page403" id="page403"></a>[pg 403]</span> +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 become 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 difficulty. 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 elect +will conquer. Hold on and he will sacrifice the horse to +please the girl. His love for her is the deepest 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.</p> + +<p>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 Indians +when thus traveling, there are others which may +occasionally happen to his own person. He may be, +while standing guard, suddenly attacked and bitten by a +mad wolf. On this event occurring, he is almost certain +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page404" id="page404"></a>[pg 404]</span> +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 being 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 Mexicans 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 were 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 afforded 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.</p> + +<p>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 reducing their value. +The wool of these sheep was rather coarse, resembling +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page405" id="page405"></a>[pg 405]</span> +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 growing 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 mountain +sheep, as perched on a high, rocky peak, is beautiful. The +hostile Indians are the main drawback in New Mexico, +to the successful raising of sheep.</p> + +<p>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 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 +after 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page406" id="page406"></a>[pg 406]</span> +above all others that is to be apprehended and guarded +against, while thus travelling, 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 +carcasses 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 migrating 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 hunting-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 preventing +their inroads by night, the dog is capable of performing +valuable service; hence, no band of sheep should +cross the plains and mountains without a full complement +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page407" id="page407"></a>[pg 407]</span> +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 marvelous 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.</p> + +<p>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 inhabitants. +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 the six months +following, it increased to five thousand. In the early +part of the year 1850, the population had increased to +nearly twenty thousand. In 1852, according to the census, +it was thirty-four thousand eight hundred and seventy. +The first settlement made at San Francisco, was commenced +in the year 1776. The place was then called +Yerba 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.</p> + +<p>As Kit Carson neared this great emporium of California, +possessed of some of the details of its astonishing +growth, and remembering it as it existed when its inhabitants +could be easily counted in an hour, he was perfectly +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page408" id="page408"></a>[pg 408]</span> +astonished to behold the great changes which a few short years had produced.</p> + +<p>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 others, 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 finished 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.</p> + +<p>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 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 assigned to him, and his +modesty would not allow him to ask or be willing to receive +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page409" id="page409"></a>[pg 409]</span> +any other than the unexpressed 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 disregard of notoriety, and his +anxiety to escape that popularity 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.</p> + +<p>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 position, +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 incessantly +by the hand, desiring to lead him into the paths +of dissipation. But the gay vortex, with all its brilliancy, +had no attractions for him; the wine cup, with its sparkling +arguments, failed to convince his calm 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 departure from the new city +of a day, with his character untarnished, but nevertheless +leaving behind him many golden opinions. With a +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page410" id="page410"></a>[pg 410]</span> +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 to accept some of the offers made +him while then in San Francisco, he could easily have +amassed an immense fortune. But his home had now +the greater allurements, and a legitimate business gave +him the certainty of comfort. The power merely which +wealth assumes, Kit Carson never has desired to grasp.</p> + +<p>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 disposing +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 adventure +proved to be the most fortunate in which Kit Carson +had been engaged. Heretofore, money had been a +second consideration with Kit Carson. He had directed +his energies and attention to almost everything, or at +least to many things besides its accumulation.</p> + +<p>The sums which he had received for the important +services rendered both to government officers and private +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 disposal, Kit +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page411" id="page411"></a>[pg 411]</span> +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 Carson 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 making 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. Everything favored them until they reached a +village belonging 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 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page412" id="page412"></a>[pg 412]</span> +a new route which, though difficult and rough to travel, +he felt confident would afford sufficient forage to answer +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.</p> + +<p>While pursuing this experimental journey, Kit Carson, +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 camping-sites, +where wood, water and grass presented themselves in +abundance, was frequently made the subject of a tantalizing +joke by the men of the party.</p> + +<p>Occasionally his memory would not solve the question, +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 mischievous 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, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page413" id="page413"></a>[pg 413]</span> +and occasionally a few sentences reached him like the following:</p> + +<p>"Hurrah!"</p> + +<p>"I say! are you the famous Kit Carson, who knows this country so well?"</p> + +<p>"Are you really a good pilot, or are you lost?"</p> + +<p>These and similar expressions saluted Kit's ear—a language +to which he had not been heretofore accustomed—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, 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 +occasional doubts, less sweeping in its conclusions.</p> + +<p>Kit succeeded in guiding the party safely to the Copper +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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page414" id="page414"></a>[pg 414]</span> +three or four feet deep. Here the Apache and Camanche +Indians always cross when on their depredatory tramps into Mexico.</p> + +<p>Leaving the Rio Grande or del Norte, the party pursued +their homeward route through the settlements of the +Rio Abajo and Santa Fé and finally reached Taos on the +twenty-third day of December, 1853.</p> + +<p>Soon after the party entered the Territory of New +Mexico, Kit Carson accidentally met the Mormon delegate +to Congress. That person informed Kit Carson +that the appointment of an Indian Agent had been conferred upon him.</p> + +<p>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 belief +that he was capable of performing the duties of this +office, and of accomplishing much good. His happiness +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 solicitation 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 government, 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.</p> + +<p>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 outrages on +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page415" id="page415"></a>[pg 415]</span> +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 2d 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 run 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.</p> + +<p>A short time after the news of this skirmish had +reached Taos, Kit Carson found it necessary, in order to +attend to some official business, to proceed to Santa Fé; +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 mountains only +about twenty miles from Taos, and were there encamped. +With the view of pacifying them if it was 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page416" id="page416"></a>[pg 416]</span> +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 +friendship. So little reliance, however, was to be placed +in this tribe, that Kit Carson doubted their sincerity; +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 Fé; 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 onward, +so thick and fast did their wicked crimes increase, +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. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page417" id="page417"></a>[pg 417]</span> +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 +companies of the 1st 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 warfare; +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 "<i>Embuda Mountains</i>" (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.</p> + +<p>On reaching the mountains he soon came upon the +savages and found them fully prepared to meet him. +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 +offered 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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page418" id="page418"></a>[pg 418]</span> +unencumbered. Lieutenant Davidson's first manœuvre +was to send in advance a small party, whose duty it +was to act as spies, while at the same time they endeavoured +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 coldness 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 Davidson 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, five soldiers were killed; and when the +dragoons had reached the highest eminence of the mountain, +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 +congregated. In so doing, he was obliged to fight his +way, as every foot of ground he passed over was stoutly +contested; but at last he arrived, just in time to save +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page419" id="page419"></a>[pg 419]</span> +them. The fight then became desultory, but desperate, +on the part of the soldiers; for the Indians, by concealing +themselves behind rocks, trees and whatever came in their +way, were quite secure against injury from the carbines +and revolvers of the whites, while, from their side, came +a deadly fire that fast diminished 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 +little left that he could do except to offer himself and +men as targets to be shot at, Lieutenant Davidson reluctantly +ordered his men to retreat.</p> + +<p>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 +from the victory which they had achieved, that they +charged so hotly and so near the soldiers that the latter +were compelled, in self-defence, to turn and, in a hand to +hand contest, beat them off. After resisting a succession +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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page420" id="page420"></a>[pg 420]</span> +each one had endeavored to turn the tide of affairs to a more favorable result.</p> + +<p>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 probably +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 intimately 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 me 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 the guns of his fort. The only anxiety he +exhibited was for the safety of his remaining men."</p> + +<p>The Indians must have lost many of their warriors in +this fight, but the exact number has never been ascertained. +The news of the defeat was brought by the +retreating soldiers themselves to the town of Taos, where +on hearing it, for short time, consternation seized hold +of its inhabitants; but slowly they calmed down, and a +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page421" id="page421"></a>[pg 421]</span> +party, consisting of Americans and Mexicans with wagons, +was sent out to bring in the mutilated 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 appearance +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 military +style, and otherwise mock the actions of the military +men. Calling 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 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page422" id="page422"></a>[pg 422]</span> +until the latter had departed and left them in possession of their lives.</p> + +<p>The day following the one on which the fight had +taken place, Kit Carson returned from Santa Fé 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 highhanded +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.</p> + +<p>The trail which, on this occasion, Kit Carson traveled +over in coming from Santa Fé, 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 Fé, is mountainous; therefore, +this trail is one series of 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 zig zag course. To accomplish the ascent +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page423" id="page423"></a>[pg 423]</span> +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 +climbing. 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, cañons, 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 distances 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.</p> + +<p>The most desirable place at which to stop, on this trail, +is a town nearly midway between Taos and Santa Fé. +It is called Rio Arriba. In this village, the traveler can +obtain many comforts which are denied him even in the +larger towns. At the present time it is a very difficult +matter for loaded caravans to pass direct from Santa +Fé to Taos; but the United States government has taken +the matter in hand and has appropriated large sums of +money for making a good road between the two places; +therefore, it will not be a long time before the transit +will be accomplished with ease and safety. Scattered +over the country adjacent to this trail now under consideration, +there are many hamlets and villages which are +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page424" id="page424"></a>[pg 424]</span> +being greatly augmented by new settlers yearly. Many +of these have been seldom, if ever, visited by white men, +and the minute geography of this tract of country is +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 chimerical +illusion; it scarcely rests upon an uncertainty; for, the +mineral wealth of New Mexico, we are firmly persuaded, +is still in its infancy. To use trapper language, 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 California. 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 commerce 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 <i>quills</i> 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 of living, this rate of produce cannot be +made to pay unless the work shall be carried on by the assistance of capital.</p> + +<p>On this trail to Santa Fé, there are several small Pueblos +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page425" id="page425"></a>[pg 425]</span> +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 Mexicans, can realize from +their toil but little beyond their own subsistence. This +trail, as it approaches Santa Fé, 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 Territory 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 <i>élite</i> of New +Mexican society should for so many years congregate.</p> + +<p>Santa Fé 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 inhabitants +which includes all races. It is built of <i>adobes</i>, or +sun-burnt brick, and occupies both sides of a small stream +which is called the <i>Rio Chicito</i> and which flows into the +Rio Grande nearly twenty miles from the town. The +site of Santa Fé is low when compared with the altitude +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page426" id="page426"></a>[pg 426]</span> +of the surrounding country, being bounded on nearly all +sides by lofty mountains. One of 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 Mexican towns, there is but little regularity in the +streets of Santa Fé; but yet, the plaza is easily reached +by several avenues. Santa Fé forms the grand commercial +emporium of the great interior continent of North +America; and its trade diverges 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 millions of dollars. In +the south it has overland communication even with the +city of Mexico. If the tariff between the two countries +could be arranged upon a more equitable footing than it +now is, the Mexican trade would swell into an enormous +sum. Every acquisition of a new territory in the far +west and southwest aids in developing the commerce of +Santa Fé; therefore, until steam shall cause a revolution +in the course of trade, this town must necessarily increase +greatly in importance. The stores in the town are +mostly owned, and the mercantile business chiefly carried +on, by Americans. These American speculators are celebrated +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 the gain +will be large, the more eager they are in facing 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page427" id="page427"></a>[pg 427]</span> +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 everything which their fancy +dictates. A Santa Fé señorita dashes in her rich silks +which have cost hundreds of dollars with as much grace +as does one of the Washington or Fifth Avenue belles, +clothed in the same luxuriant style. In Santa Fé, 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 victim +which this wretched wickedness has prematurely hurried +into a vortex, from which there has been no recovery.</p> + +<p>The palmy days of gambling, in San Francisco, have +been rivaled in the little town of Santa Fé, 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 <i>monte</i>. Not only +this fact is true, but men will often sell themselves into +the slavery of debt in order to satisfy their craving desire to gamble.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page428" id="page428"></a>[pg 428]</span> + +<p>The town of Santa Fé is watered by azequias or small +canals, which are used in every section of the Territory, +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 the year 1846. This fort commands +the town; and, for the purpose which governed +its building it answered very well. There are several +good boarding-houses in Santa Fé, and one hotel, which +is well fitted up and well kept. It forms the rendezvous for +the whole town. The commanding general of the military +department which comprises the Territory 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 Fé. 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 <i>savants</i> who were to discuss and arrange +matters of state and public interest. 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page429" id="page429"></a>[pg 429]</span> +and equitable law. These tyrants—for it was very seldom +that the poor and ignorant 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, solely by their authority, in order to +have the desired effect to retain them in office. In this +they were usually successful, as they generally retained +their lucrative 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 among Americans, so far as wealth is considered. +They were so envied by the wealthy men at +the capital 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 the territory 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 elevating +their heads to the proper standard of men. The legislature +of New Mexico, as it has been recognized under the +constitution of the United States, resembles 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page430" id="page430"></a>[pg 430]</span> +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 legislature, 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 +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 Mexico, 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 government 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page431" id="page431"></a>[pg 431]</span> +education has made her indelible mark upon the people.</p> + +<p>The town of Santa Fé is provided with a Roman Catholic +church, which, under the judicious management of the +present bishop and clergy, is doing what it can to improve +the condition of the Mexican population. 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 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 a 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 not +hold good. The Mexicans, as a body, learn readily; +they easily discern between 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 laboring 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 +Fé 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page432" id="page432"></a>[pg 432]</span> +cannot be far distant when this town will redeem itself. +It is true that, not many years back, Santa Fé was filled +with gamblers and desperadoes of all grades; but, at the +present time, law and order is beginning 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 Americans with bad characters, who +have, from time to time, crept in among the people. +These men, in several instances, have set examples which +the most debased Mexican would hesitate to follow.</p> + +<p>The appearance of Santa Fé, from an outside view, is +anything but striking. Its houses, like most Mexican +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 accident 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, comparatively speaking, +good prices. Not many miles from Santa Fé there +are famous silver mines, which for many years were +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page433" id="page433"></a>[pg 433]</span> +worked almost entirely by hand. Within a recent date +machinery has been introduced by some enterprising +Americans, and the precious silver 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 Fé 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 seldom attend them, and +then only when they are certain that they will find the +ceremonies conducted in the spirit which administers +really to pleasure and not to excess. The distance from +Santa Fé to the Missouri River is in the neighborhood +of nine hundred miles. The road, for the first one hundred +miles towards the Santa Fé 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. The rich merchandise which +finds its market in New Mexico passes over this road; +and, during the summer months, the heavily-laden caravans +are continually traversing it.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page434" id="page434"></a>[pg 434]</span> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER XVI.</h2> + +<blockquote><p> +A fresh Campaign set on foot—Col. Cook in Command—Kit Carson goes as Guide—The +Apaches and Utahs leagued together—The Roughness 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—Col. Cook is obliged to return to Abiquiu—A Utah +taken Prisoner 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 obliged to return to Rio Colorado—Major Brooks and +Reinforcements come to the Rescue—Major Brooks on the Lookout, but fails to +find the Indians—Carleton's Expedition—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. +</p></blockquote> + + +<p>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 Col. Cook of the 2d Regiment 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 warlike 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 whether, or no, the Utahs +were mixed up with the operations of the Apaches. A +large branch of the former tribe were part and parcel of +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page435" id="page435"></a>[pg 435]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>Col. 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.</p> + +<p>These Pueblos were selected for spies on account of +their being familiar with Indian habits and their mode +of warfare. They were 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 returned 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 articles 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 existed, and doubtless frequently did, under +disguise of the enemy, become guilty of crimes which +could easily have been proven against them. The Mexicans +have often tried to criminate the Pueblos for thus +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page436" id="page436"></a>[pg 436]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>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 Territory of New +Mexico soon after that country was annexed 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 prominent 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.</p> + +<p>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 cañon, they came to the Rio del Norte.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page437" id="page437"></a>[pg 437]</span> + +<p>On the first-named stream, there is a small and +unattractive 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 building +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 contiguous 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 settlement 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 entertain is the former, as every +old Mexican town of the north contains relics which +could not have been designed merely in case of an emergency. +Not one of these towns in olden times was +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page438" id="page438"></a>[pg 438]</span> +without a large well, which, in most instances, was bountifully +supplied with water. In time of peace, these extensive +reservoirs were covered over and concealed from +view, and therefore, 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 digging these +reservoirs became apparent. It is an established fact in +history, that the town of Taos once withstood 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 consequence 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 necessitated to succumb; and +hence, were swept, by the Indians of the plains, from the +face of the earth, leaving but a dim outline of their ancient grandeur.</p> + +<p>The party found the stream very much swollen by the +melting of the snows in the mountains. When they +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page439" id="page439"></a>[pg 439]</span> +arrived at its fording-place, notwithstanding a torrent +rolled before them, the command was, of a necessity, +given to cross. There was no shrinking. Without 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. Having 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 calculation, 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 and 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page440" id="page440"></a>[pg 440]</span> +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 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.</p> + +<p>These settlements on the remote frontiers of the territory +of New Mexico are composed of very poor people, +who, for many years succeeding their first efforts on +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 remuneration +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 visiting +them. With the few dollars in their pockets thus gained +from the party, these Mexicans for once felt themselves rich men.</p> + +<p>Early on the subsequent day the whole force was +again in motion, and continued an active march 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page441" id="page441"></a>[pg 441]</span> +at a rapid pace. On the second day's march, the +Indians 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 +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 savages in escaping, notwithstanding every +effort was made by the Americans to prevent their +leaving so easily. Kit Carson, when describing these +events, says: "To Capt. 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 provisions, 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page442" id="page442"></a>[pg 442]</span> +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 mountain +stream, that was nearly up to their arm-pits and full +of floating ice, he was, with his company, the foremost in the attack."</p> + +<p>Two soldiers of Captain Sykes's company<a id="footnotetag25" name="footnotetag25"></a><a href="#footnote25"><sup>25</sup></a> 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 cañon 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 military +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, cañons, 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page443" id="page443"></a>[pg 443]</span> +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 happened, when not once +during the whole day, had they missed the trail or +ceased travelling; 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 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 character 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.</p> + +<p>There being nothing more that could be accomplished +by the pursuit, consequently, Col. Cook ordered his +men to face about, and they having done so, he made a +direct march to Abiquiu, a Mexican village 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.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page444" id="page444"></a>[pg 444]</span> + +<p>The town of Abiquiu, where Colonel Cook arrived, is +about sixty miles northwest from Santa Fé, 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 borders 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 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 inhabitants 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.</p> + +<p>Utah was originally part of the territory of Upper +California. The United States came into 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 which 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.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page445" id="page445"></a>[pg 445]</span> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>As has been seen, Col. Cook and party were now +halted at a Mexican village on the Rio Chama, a tributary +of the Rio Grande or del Norte.</p> + +<p>The party that had been sent back with the wounded +man, while on their journey met and captured an +Indian. 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. Col. Cook, fearing that such treatment +might offer the Utahs a plausible excuse for openly +declaring war, determined to clear himself of censure by +making such reparation as was in his power. Accordingly, +he dispatched Kit Carson to the head-quarters +of his Agency, in order to settle 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 his summons, and +when they were seated in Council with their "Father +Kit," he explained to them how that the soldiers had +taken prisoner their <i>brave</i> through mistake and ignorance. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page446" id="page446"></a>[pg 446]</span> +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 +Apaches. He said that he had not sent for them +through fear, as their warriors were but a handful when +compared to the soldiers of their "Great Father;" but +the main object, always to be held in view in their deliberations, +was to cultivate friendship, as the country +was large enough for both parties to live in. The +Indians replied that they were satisfied with the explanation +made to them, and declared that their hearts +were not in the least inimical towards the whites. On +hearing this, Kit Carson restored to them the captured +property, and also made to the chiefs themselves a few useful presents.</p> + +<p>Col. 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 followed it +for several days, when, unfortunately, he was caught in +a furious snow-storm which obliterated the tracks of the +Indians, besides otherwise greatly damaging his resources. +The fair prospects of a successful termination +to the expedition being so suddenly frustrated, the commander +had no other alternative open to him but to +return. This he did by going to the Rito Colorado, a +small town that lay on his route. Here the command +was joined by Major Brooks of the 3d Regiment of U.S. +Infantry, who had marched to the relief of Col. Cook +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page447" id="page447"></a>[pg 447]</span> +with reinforcements. As soon as the necessary preparations +were gone through with, another scout was undertaken +under charge of this last-named officer, while Col. +Cook and his men retired from their active service.</p> + +<p>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 they crossed and recrossed one +another at all points, and were so similar that his best +guides could not distinguish the one made by the Apaches +from those belonging to the Utahs. The result was +that this command, after being in the field for fifteen +days, was compelled to return without accomplishing anything.</p> + +<p>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 recognized; +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.</p> + +<p>After allowing sufficient time for the Apaches to collect +and reorganize so that they would be more accessible, +a third expedition was made ready and placed under +the command of Major Carlton of the First Regiment of +United States dragoons. Major Carlton employed as his guide, Kit Carson.</p> + +<p>This command, at first, traveled to the north one hundred +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page448" id="page448"></a>[pg 448]</span> +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 company, 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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>The Mosco Pass is a narrow opening in the White +Mountains, which latter is but another name for a +branch of the Rocky Chain. This pass has been traversed +by Col. 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 present 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 delight 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.</p> + +<p>On reaching the place of rendezvous, Carlton, while in +the Sangre de Christo Pass, by the aid of his guide Kit +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page449" id="page449"></a>[pg 449]</span> +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 purposes, 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. 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, requires 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 experienced trailer to the particular party he is seeking.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page450" id="page450"></a>[pg 450]</span> + +<p>Carleton and his men became flushed with the prospects +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 Raton Mountains. +Although the mountain was none the easiest to climb, +yet the soldiers went at its performance 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 warrior 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.</p> + +<p>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 basin; +which, besides the open lookout that the eminence 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, runs through, or +rather, close to, the Raton Mountains. On account of its +being well timbered, and offering somewhat of a protection, +this route is often chosen late in the autumn and +early in the spring, as the safest for caravans to travel. +As a hunting district it cannot be surpassed, especially +in the seasons of the year above mentioned, as the game +collects there for shelter from cold and storms.</p> + +<p>At night, a squad of men under command of +Lieutenant R. Johnston, of the First Regiment of United +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page451" id="page451"></a>[pg 451]</span> +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 detachment, 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 was still, this peculiar-toned whistle was sounded, +when lo and behold! 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 +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, by 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.</p> + +<p>A spectator, not used to seeing Indians in all phases, +on beholding these Apaches in their most nourishing 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page452" id="page452"></a>[pg 452]</span> +he is reduced to his bow and arrows, the Apache still +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 buoyant 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.</p> + +<p>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." Carleton replied that if his words came +true, he would present him with the finest hat 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 appropriate inscription—viz.</p> + +<table summary="inscription" align="center" border="2"> +<tr><td align="center"><h4>AT 2 O'CLOCK.</h4> +<h2>KIT CARSON,</h2> +<h4>FROM</h4> +<h3>MAJOR CARLETON.</h3></td></tr> +</table> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page453" id="page453"></a>[pg 453]</span> + +<p>This prophecy was not guesswork. On the contrary, +it was a matter of calculation, made on the same principle +which any experienced workman would adopt, +in reference to some undertaking that was within the +range of his calling. A few years later, an officer, who +had been an eye-witness of this incident, had the opportunity +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.</p> + +<p>Major Carleton, having performed all that lay in his +power, commenced his homeward-bound march. While +<i>en route</i> he traveled by the head waters of the Canadian +River and its tributaries, and passed over bold and lofty +mountains, and through a picturesque country. Finally +he reached Taos. His command was in a very good condition, +considering the hardships to which it had been exposed.</p> + +<p>Although we say, in common parlance, that this 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 soldiers on a +parade. When out on these campaigns, the comfort of +the men is considered to be of more importance 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page454" id="page454"></a>[pg 454]</span> +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 appearance a few +weeks can make by traveling in the mountains. The +person thus exposed partially conforms to the habits of +the wild Indians, both in appearance 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 marching along. Were they to enter a town +belonging to a civilized community, when arrayed in this +mountain costume, they would be at once judged as a band of desperadoes.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>We have used this word "organizing," when speaking +of the fitting out of various expeditions against the +Indians, and it seems proper that here we should give +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page455" id="page455"></a>[pg 455]</span> +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 Indians. +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 quartermaster estimates +from the number of the soldiers how many mules +will be required to transport their luggage, equipments +and provisions. This having been determined upon, he +collects the animals and has them provided with pack-saddles. +The task of shoeing the horses and mules is +also no easy matter, for they cannot 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 drivers, and otherwise look +after their charge. Notwithstanding their proverbial +obstinacy, these pack mules quickly learn the labor +which they have to perform. After finishing their usual +day's work, they often exhibit 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 management, their backs have become injured; +or when, from the steadiness of pressure from the "<i>dead</i> +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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page456" id="page456"></a>[pg 456]</span> +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 put forth, is strenuously and obstinately +resisted by a trick which we will call a straining +process that is resorted 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 opportunity 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 Department +in fitting out such expeditions is, to provide a sufficient +quantity of rations for the men, such as 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 the +rations required, always, when practicable, allowing a +small surplus. In this respect old and experienced soldiers +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page457" id="page457"></a>[pg 457]</span> +are far superior to volunteers. 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 undertaking is not a hotly contested +chase, to drive along beef cattle, which can be +killed and used at discretion. Bacon, however, is the +soldier's sheet anchor; and, the variety of forms in +which he can cook and prepare for eating this article, +while in the field, would astonish even a French <i>chef de +cuisine</i>. It very frequently happens, however, that in +an Indian country, he is not allowed to exercise his talent, +for, making large fires 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, <i>nolens volens</i>. The +organization is said to be complete and fit for service +when the soldiers are judiciously provided with arms, +ammunition, and riding horses. When the party consists +of mounted men, they also are 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.</p> + +<p>In the latter part of the summer, Kit Carson departed +from the agency, on a visit to the band of Utahs, one of +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page458" id="page458"></a>[pg 458]</span> +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 hospitality of his +house, and receive from him presents of tobacco and +other little commodities which he was always 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 <i>moon</i> 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 report 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 thoroughly to investigate their character, +and who has understood 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 supposed 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page459" id="page459"></a>[pg 459]</span> +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 employ +these gifts. Very often the weapons which they have +but recently received, are turned upon their donors 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 loath 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 sometimes 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, integrity and skill, +and then allowed a large discretion in his decisions.</p> + +<p>The distance to be traveled over while on this duty +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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page460" id="page460"></a>[pg 460]</span> +village, Kit accidentally fell in with the Apaches; but as he +was constantly on the look out, and therefore first in making +the discovery, he lost no time in effecting 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 directions for them to be at +the council at the time appointed, which was in the <i>new +moon</i> of October. Notwithstanding 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 the council, +had succeeded in showing that they had been greatly outraged +and injured, and that they had sufficient cause for +resentment. The following circumstances will show the truth of this.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page461" id="page461"></a>[pg 461]</span> + +<p>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 Mexicans. +The only excuse offered by the latter for committing +this bloody deed was, that they wished to deprive +the warrior of an old coat, which, by some means, had +come into his possession.</p> + +<p>The killing of a human being to deprive him of a garment +which was almost worthless, is perfectly characteristic +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 remember +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 Mexican 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 very resolute; 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 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page462" id="page462"></a>[pg 462]</span> +for his lodging in the morning, he noticed that two pieces +of his money had been abstracted 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.</p> + +<p>Both of these facts are simple, and perhaps, uninteresting; +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.</p> + +<p>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 explained 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 Indians willingly received +this promise, but seemed to feel, as finally was the fact, +that they were doomed to be disappointed as far as the +punishment was concerned. It afterwards happened +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page463" id="page463"></a>[pg 463]</span> +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 escape 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 Superintendent 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 further his designs he +had presented, to each of their distinguished warriors, a +blanket-coat. They found that nearly every Indian who +had accepted and worn this article, had died.</p> + +<p>It so happened that the writer, several years after +these events occurred, visited the camp where this pestilence +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 midway +between its upper and lower extremes. Two mountain +streams have so joined as to form a peninsula of tableland +which is well shaded by cotton-wood trees. This +ground, when the writer saw it, was literally strewn +with the bleached bones of the Indian victims who had +died from the scourge. As we lifted up one skull and +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page464" id="page464"></a>[pg 464]</span> +another, the thought struck us that, perhaps, 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.</p> + +<p>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 Indians 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 preventing the wolves +from digging them up. The high-colored 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.</p> + +<p>But to return to results of the council. The Indians +naturally enough, argued and persuaded themselves that +these presents were intended as poisonous destroyers, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page465" id="page465"></a>[pg 465]</span> +and that they had been steeped in contagion for that +end. It wanted but the happening of this affair, or a +similar one, to destroy the small amount of confidence +which the superintendent had hitherto enjoyed 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 nation 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.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page466" id="page466"></a>[pg 466]</span> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER XVII.</h2> + +<blockquote><p> +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 commenced—The Trail found—The Indians are met and +the first Fight and 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 War and 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 +look upon him—His influence over Indians—General remarks—Conclusion. +</p></blockquote> + + +<p>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 commenced the +war in earnest. They waylaid and murdered 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 everything 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.</p> + +<p>This Chief Blanco is a man who stands in his moccasins +about five feet nine inches. He is rather thickset +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page467" id="page467"></a>[pg 467]</span> +but, to use an Indian phrase, he is straight as an arrow. +The chief attraction about this Indian is his head, which +is finely developed. His lustrous black eye is filled with +animation and shows an active brain, which, unfortunately, +is turned to bad account. His forehead is lofty, +yet it is symmetrically chiselled, and every feature about +his face is as regular as if it had been carved for sculptured +perfection. Blanco is 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 present unreclaimed +state, he shows to a disadvantage.</p> + +<p>It is within my province fully to attest to the earnestness, +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, numerically 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 plans. Every man +who left our post ran the risk of losing his life; for, the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page468" id="page468"></a>[pg 468]</span> +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 present, 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 perform 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 finished up his business, +he instantly began his homeward-bound journey. While +on the rough trail which leads from Fort Union to Taos, +he came near being surprised and captured by the +enemy, under the following circumstances. 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 and listened more attentively. This time +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page469" id="page469"></a>[pg 469]</span> +he was certain that he was not 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 under-brush, 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 in his last breath. +Fortunately affairs took a better turn and the expressman +finished his journey without further trouble.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page470" id="page470"></a>[pg 470]</span> +perfect safety. At the Mexican 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 answered 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 morning sun began to make its appearance +in all his splendor. 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 +directed 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 +moving under rather suspicious circumstances. We +reined up our horses, for the purpose of obtaining a +better observation. 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page471" id="page471"></a>[pg 471]</span> +searching look, we came to the conclusion that the horsemen +which we saw were hostile Indians, as we had not +been accustomed to see Mexican herders mounted and acting so strangely.</p> + +<p>The herders, near the towns in New Mexico, are usually +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 interest 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 recall a single kind +act shown them by their captors save the mere sparing of their lives.</p> + +<p>As we were viewing the herd, we thought that we +noticed the figures of the horsemen throwing themselves +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 advance. +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 engaged in +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page472" id="page472"></a>[pg 472]</span> +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 the ground much +broken by various kind 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; but which, afterwards, +proved to be Indians in pursuit of us. As we watched +closely these supposed antelope; we remarked 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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page473" id="page473"></a>[pg 473]</span> +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, +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 dressing buffalo hides. They +frequently ornament them with beads, porcupine quills +and rude paintings. In times long since gone by, these +robes could be purchased, or rather traded for, at good +bargains; but, the unlimited and increasing demand for +them has greatly enhanced their value. Now days they bring standard prices.</p> + +<p>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 distinctly that they were urging on their animals. +Our safety, therefore, depended entirely on outriding +them. The race became most exciting, and demanded +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page474" id="page474"></a>[pg 474]</span> +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 instant +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 our +hopes now centered. For twelve miles we dashed along, +laboring under a state of suspense not to be easily forgotten. +When, at last, we arrived at the desired point, +we were only about two hundred yards in the advance +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 tremendous; 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 belonged 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 compliments 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 traveled the distance in about as +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page475" id="page475"></a>[pg 475]</span> +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 exchange +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 Costillo, 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 +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.</p> + +<p>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 devise +to allay the anger of the Indians. Had his superiors +in power acted with the same discretion and judgment, +in all probability the Utahs might have been kept +at peace. It is wonderfully strange that our Government +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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page476" id="page476"></a>[pg 476]</span> +exposed, it seems to us morally wrong to give the +control 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 apparently the reward for taking a white man's +scalp is a blazing red or a sky blue blanket, which is +paid under the plea of keeping the peace. This, too, +when efficient means and decided measures are the only +hopes of a lasting peace.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width:80%;"><a href="images/476-477.jpg"><img width="100%" src="images/476-477.jpg" alt="FORT MASSACHUSETTS, NEW MEXICO, IN 1855." /></a>FORT MASSACHUSETTS, NEW MEXICO, IN 1855.</div> + +<p>While engaged in our travels through the far West, +we remember to have met with an Indian agent who +was, both in years and experience, but a mere boy. +To him had been intrusted 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 presence. Not +only this, but, on horses stolen from the neighboring +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 which he had attained through the influence +of powerful political friends. This is but a fair example +by which many of the so-called Indian agents may be +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page477" id="page477"></a>[pg 477]</span> +rated, who are the actual managers of Indian affairs on our frontiers.</p> + +<p>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, whenever +the opportunity offered, boasted to the Mexicans "that +they no longer stood in fear of the white man." The +subsequent cruel and barbarous crimes of which they +were guilty, clearly demonstrated that they had become +greatly elated by their success. It soon became apparent +that, unless checked, they would exterminate the population +and burn or otherwise destroy their settlements.</p> + +<p>At this time, it was only by running great risk, that the +whites could leave their towns and go to the neighboring +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 becoming 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 Massachusetts. To give them a warm +reception, should they dare undertake that enterprise, +the post was strengthened, 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page478" id="page478"></a>[pg 478]</span> +block-house attached to the fort, 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 +removed to a safe place, for fear they would be fired by +the enemy. The sentinels were ordered to cry out every +half hour of the night while on their posts, and no man +was allowed to approach after the shades of night came +on, without giving the countersign. It proved to be +well that these precautions were 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 sudden and overwhelming +blow upon the garrison within. 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 circumstances. 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 resembled Indians. The commander of +the party, immediately sent an expressman to the fort to +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page479" id="page479"></a>[pg 479]</span> +apprise its occupants 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 discernible, 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 among the +Cheyennes and Arrapahoes, and for the purpose 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 stationing 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 unexpected termination of the affair.</p> + +<p>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 proclamation +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page480" id="page480"></a>[pg 480]</span> +calling upon the people to volunteer for the purpose of +defending their lives and property.</p> + +<p>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 presented +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 officers, by and with +the advice and consent of the Governor. 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 provided, 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 occasion to volunteer, does them great +credit, and clearly 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 necessary to do so.</p> + +<p>It is the opinion of many of the most prominent citizens +of the Territory of New Mexico, that, if the chastisement +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 +between the two parties would, in a short time, be +firmly established on a sure and permanent footing.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page481" id="page481"></a>[pg 481]</span> +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 accomplished 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 been, for many years back, chiefly foreigners who, +as has been heretofore stated, 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.</p> + +<p>As matters usually stand, the Indians are almost the +actual, although not the nominal, masters of the 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 consequent 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page482" id="page482"></a>[pg 482]</span> +the thirst for revenge must be satiated. The officers and +soldiers do their utmost to accomplish something more, +and readily meet hardships and privations in every shape +in order to accomplish 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 +government 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 unusual +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.</p> + +<p>Under the existing causes for difficulty and peculiarity +of circumstances, it is sometimes hazardous to assume +the responsibility of punishing the hostile Indians as they deserve.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page483" id="page483"></a>[pg 483]</span> +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 themselves with propriety. This +happy state of things will continue until some weak +move on the part of government 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 pompously invite the Indians to grand councils, +where unmeaning speeches are manufactured to suit the +occasion. 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 the superintendent informs them are merely +tokens of the high appreciation with which they are regarded +by their Great Father at Washington.</p> + +<p>It is the opinion of Kit Carson "that the Territory of +New Mexico will continue to remain in its present +impoverished state during the time that the mountain +Indians are allowed to run at large. The only true +remedy" (he says) "for this great evil is to compel the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page484" id="page484"></a>[pg 484]</span> +savages 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."</p> + +<p>The people who form the chief population of the territory +have so often been deprived of their property 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 improving, but yet, even now, they have +not the protection which they require, and should receive. +In their territory it takes a daring man to venture +his small capital in raising stock. To be sure, +claims are allowed them by Congress for the losses by +Indian depredations, but these usually fall into the hands +of speculators, 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 human beings to be.</p> + +<p>The organization of the Mexican volunteers was made +complete by the governor of the Territory, who selected +as their leader, Mr. Ceran St. Vrain of Taos. This gentleman, +although he had much important business which +called his attention elsewhere, immediately expressed +his willingness to accept the responsible position which, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page485" id="page485"></a>[pg 485]</span> +without solicitation, had been conferred upon him. The +commission received by St. Vrain gave him the rank of +lieutenant-colonel. Without 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.</p> + +<p>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 thinking +mind that something more than usual was to be accomplished. +They felt that the wrongs of their country +would now be certainly redressed. The sequel will +prove that the people were not doomed to disappointment.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>Fort Union is the first post met with on entering the +Territory of New Mexico from the east. It lies on the +Santa Fé road usually traveled by parties when crossing +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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page486" id="page486"></a>[pg 486]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>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 expedition. The little +force had been made as powerful as the resources of the +country would permit. The Mexican Volunteers, soon +after their enrollment, purchased 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 their own towns, resist the +temptation of jocosely taunting their countrymen whom +they chanced to meet, for being obliged to till the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page487" id="page487"></a>[pg 487]</span> +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 campaign as that which lay +before them. As has often occurred 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 wonderful 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 beneath, 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.</p> + +<p>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, reaching +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 the ponies. We +remember seeing a large party of them thus engaged as +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page488" id="page488"></a>[pg 488]</span> +blacksmiths. It was at night; while some 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 say, 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 practicable, 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 protected, 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 confidence +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page489" id="page489"></a>[pg 489]</span> +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 training 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 walking 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 are just as valuable on foot.</p> + +<p>Col. 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 company of +spies. The two remaining companies of volunteers were +dispatched to exposed towns on the remote 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 experiment to be more than +a match for the horses in traveling when the party should +reach and penetrate the mountains. Col. 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.</p> + +<p>The command proceeded at first one hundred miles due +north to Fort Massachusetts, which was to be their +dépôt. Without delay they left this post and proceeded, +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 up this river to where +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page490" id="page490"></a>[pg 490]</span> +it makes its exit through a deep cañon from the mountains. +It was, as will be remembered by the reader, on +the head-waters of this last-mentioned stream, that Col. +Fremont, while engaged 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.</p> + +<p>While passing over this point of his journey, Col. +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 cañon 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 foot-hold 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page491" id="page491"></a>[pg 491]</span> +Mexican 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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 coming 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 distance off, and as if surprised at thus so +suddenly discovering each other, both parties halted. +During this state of suspense, the white men noticed +that the Indians were arrayed in their war costume, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page492" id="page492"></a>[pg 492]</span> +showing that they were bound on another plundering +expedition. Everything went to show that the visit +which the white men were making to their mountain +haunts was unexpected by the red men.</p> + +<p>The Indians quickly recovered from their astonishment +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 stopping +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, +remained 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 Indians +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 bugles sounded +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page493" id="page493"></a>[pg 493]</span> +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 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 revolvers +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 skirmish 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 retired to their +reserve-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 be 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page494" id="page494"></a>[pg 494]</span> +would have been augmented. 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, 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 playing 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 which lay by his side, he attempted to reach +and kill his adversary with it; but, others coming up, he was soon dispatched.</p> + +<p>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 soldiers in +order to be near at hand to render professional services +to the wounded, should there be any. I was mounted on +a mule, and when the dragoon horses started off, he +became frightened and unmanageable. I soon found that +this mule lacked the speed of the former animals, hence +he was in a short time left far behind, but not until he +had fallen and 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page495" id="page495"></a>[pg 495]</span> +my injuries were but slight, and that I still retained +my bridle rein, therefore I quickly regained my seat in +the saddle and started on again, remembering 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 advanced 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 overlooked during +the excitement of the moment, they remained quiet until +we came along, when they made a dash at us and commenced +firing their arrows in fine-style. We returned +their volleys with our revolvers, but, whether we produced +any result further than preventing their coming +too near, it is difficult to say. Several of their arrows +came in close proximity to our bodies, and one struck, +the soldier's horse in the neck and wounded a main +artery, which bled, for a time, furiously. As danger was +thick about them, the Indians soon left us to effect their +own escape; when, we halted and attended to the +wounded horse, whose life we were so fortunate as to +save, by putting a ligature about the bleeding vessel.</p> + +<p>The night succeeding the day on which this fight +occurred, with a single exception, passed by quietly. +A soldier, who lay near the centre of the camp, had +retired to rest, perhaps impressed with the belief that +he and his comrades would be attacked by the Indians +before 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page496" id="page496"></a>[pg 496]</span> +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 +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 firearms 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.</p> + +<p>At the break of day, on the next morning, the soldiers +were up and preparing for their march. The +Indians had, on this morning, made fires, and even presented +themselves to view on the mountains, but they +were few in number, and it was well known that this +was 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.</p> + +<p>Col. Fauntleroy here determined to relieve himself of +all drawbacks which should in the least tend to +prevent his now giving full chase to the Indians. Accordingly, +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 rendezvous +in the Wet Mountain Valley. It required but a +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page497" id="page497"></a>[pg 497]</span> +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 resumed +and kept up vigorously. Late and early, the +soldiers followed on this trail, and although the Indians +purposely led them over the worst conceivable +routes, yet they gained nothing substantial by it. On +one occasion, when the men were pushing on as fast as +possible, their advance guard surprised three Indians, +one of them a woman, while they were leisurely watering +their ponies. These Indians attempted to fly, and +succeeded in making a good run for about four miles, +but, at the end of that distance, two of them were overtaken. +A Mexican, who was mounted on a very swift +horse, was the first to come up with the savages. He +fired 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 +<i>Saquachi Pass</i>, and, had the soldiers dropped down +from the heavens, they could not have been more surprised +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 censure +this Mexican for his barbarous action of scalping a +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page498" id="page498"></a>[pg 498]</span> +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 authorized +by the Mexican Government, as a means of lessening +their savage enemies, and handsome premiums have +been offered as an inducement to obtain them. In +the case of this Mexican, there were extenuating circumstances +which, if they did not warrant such a cruel +act, yet they rendered him somewhat excusable. He +had recently lost a near and dear relative by the hands +of these same Indians, and the appearance of this +mangled body was still fresh in his memory, 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 procedure, 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 intercede for +wild men who had long been a terror to the surrounding +country, and upon whom, in order to reconcile them, +every kind act had been expended in vain.</p> + +<p>It may possibly be asked whether or no 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 Fé, 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page499" id="page499"></a>[pg 499]</span> +this person entirely recovered, although the cicatrix of +the wound was ever afterwards a source of annoyance to +him, compelling him continually 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"—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 deserving 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 considered 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 honored 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. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page500" id="page500"></a>[pg 500]</span> +They are, then, each synonymous with the phrase, a fête +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 grey +hairs. This he considers 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 have been instrumental in tearing it from +the head of its owner, form a circle around the pole, +outside of which are arranged the spectators. By the +aid of one drum-stick, 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 becomes +terribly hideous. Almost naked, with tomahawk 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 extraordinary matter for them to appear +as if almost deranged. Their excitement breaks out into +exclamations of encouragement and applause, until at +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page501" id="page501"></a>[pg 501]</span> +last they can control themselves no longer, and, on their +own account, commence making bodily demonstrations +of joy by jumping about. The scalp dance may last an +entire night, or until, worn down with fatigue, 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 general +rule; but, very many of their people really enjoy these ceremonies.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width:80%;"><a href="images/500-501.jpg"><img width="100%" src="images/500-501.jpg" alt="INDIAN WAR DANCE." /></a>INDIAN WAR DANCE.</div> + +<p>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 immediately +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.</p> + +<p>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 explain +its signification when applied to Indians. An Indian +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page502" id="page502"></a>[pg 502]</span> +village, as understood in border parlance, comprises +the lodges, the women, children, old men, and such movable +property as Indians may chance to possess. 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 may 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 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 performs in +the village, would be witnessed with astonishment by +skillful riders. It is here that he runs to welcome his +father when he returns either from the chase or the war +path; and, while he listens to the marvellous 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page503" id="page503"></a>[pg 503]</span> +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 experience +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 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 dependent portion of +the band with food, or to revenge their real or imaginary +wrongs. Order and good fellowship 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 +education 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 commendable. When one +person is poor, generally speaking, the whole tribe is +found to be so. The herds of horses and mules belonging +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page504" id="page504"></a>[pg 504]</span> +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 apprehended, 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 collect 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. +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 assisting +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page505" id="page505"></a>[pg 505]</span> +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, breaking +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.</p> + +<p>When these horses broke down and began to die off, it +was decided to be best to return to Fort Massachusetts in +order to recruit and also to allow the Indians an opportunity +to concentrate their forces, when another effective +blow could be struck against them. On 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 retired to +Fort Massachusetts, which he made, for a time, his head-quarters.</p> + +<p>Kit Carson, the guide of this expedition, when afterwards +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."</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page506" id="page506"></a>[pg 506]</span> +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 severity +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 to them +to attempt sleep. After about one hour thus spent, they +were routed out by being nearly frozen. Getting into +close contact with the fires, they would thaw out and +then were ready to make another 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, basking 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page507" id="page507"></a>[pg 507]</span> +heat of the man's body, during the early and warmer +part of the night, served 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 +reversing 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.</p> + +<p>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, +and, again eager to go on the war path, anxiously desiring +to surpass the splendid deeds of their first tramp.</p> + +<p>At the permanent camp, which was made near Fort +Massachusetts, the Mexican Volunteers, especially, enjoyed +themselves hugely. From privations of various +kinds, to which they had shown themselves to be well +trained, and which consequently affected them but little, +they were suddenly placed in a state of comparative +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; +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page508" id="page508"></a>[pg 508]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>But the time soon arrived for the march to be resumed.</p> + +<p>At a council held among the chief officers, it was decided +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 commands. +Thus it might happen that being caught between 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, with the main division, +started in another; while on his route, Colonel +Fauntleroy 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.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page509" id="page509"></a>[pg 509]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>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 afterwards heard of their success, and, as +many of them, to all external appearances, were as poor +as ever when they returned, it is presumed that they +were duped by the Indians. The bottom land of the +Rio Grande which skirts the southern border of the valley +of San Luis, is, judging from the luxuriant hay +crops which it produces, year by year, quite a good +farming section; and, no doubt, ere long, the Mexicans +will there establish a new settlement and thus practically +demonstrate the use to which this beautiful valley can be put.</p> + +<p>While passing up the valley of San Luis, Colonel +Fauntleroy came to the Punchi Pass. This pass is the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page510" id="page510"></a>[pg 510]</span> +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 mountains, +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.</p> + +<p>On arriving at the Punchi Pass, Col. 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 ensuing morning (before +the break of day), the main village of the Indians was +discovered. Its occupants 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page511" id="page511"></a>[pg 511]</span> +imagine, better than can be described, 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 prevailed; but, as a dernier resort, they began +to fly, when they were hotly pursued by the soldiers. +Before 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.</p> + +<p>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 was 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 commenced; but all agree that this was the +severest blow these savages had ever received.</p> + +<p>Among the many other objects of curiosity found +by the victors, was a "Medicine lodge," which had, +from appearance, but recently been in full blast. It +was highly (and to Indian eyes it must have been very +artistically) 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page512" id="page512"></a>[pg 512]</span> +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, +evidently, 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 pertaining to +his wardrobe, which designated to the captors his high +rank. Perhaps, and the surmise may not be far out +of the way, this chief was suffering from a gun-shot +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.</p> + +<p>In this expedition, a company of artillery,<a id="footnotetag26" name="footnotetag26"></a><a href="#footnote26"><sup>26</sup></a> 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 privations of his soldiers, +marched on foot through a mixture 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 nearly broken down with fatigue, +yet as soon as the electrifying news of the enemy being +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page513" id="page513"></a>[pg 513]</span> +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.</p> + +<p>Colonel Fauntleroy was not satisfied with the victory +already obtained; but, after having accomplished all +that was possible for him in this quarter, and having +scattered the Indians to the four winds, he determined to +make forced marches in order to surprise another 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 before +their friends had time to travel to and apprise them of +their defeat. In this manœuvre he was also successful. +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 mountains. At this +camp, Blanco, the celebrated Apache chief, was driven +to such close quarters that he evidently 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 decamp in all haste. It was ascertained, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page514" id="page514"></a>[pg 514]</span> +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 rifle, he fired; but, as the reader has inferred, he missed an accurate aim.</p> + +<p>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 cotton-wood +grove of trees in which the soldiers were resting, thinking +no doubt, that they were there 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.</p> + +<p>At the time that the chief Blanco was endeavoring to +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page515" id="page515"></a>[pg 515]</span> +gain a parley, a stirring scene was being enacted at the +soldiers' camp, which was several miles distant. Most of +the soldiers had left it and were then out engaged in the +business of scouring the country. In the camp there +were all the pack animals, provisions, luggage etc., of +the command. To guard this property there were only +about fifty men left, who, anticipating 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 warriors, 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 himself +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 lines. 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 reinforcement, and using that discretion +which is often the better part of valor, they started off +and were soon lost sight of. Had not this reinforcement +providentially thus arrived, the Indians would have certainly +captured the pack mules belonging to the soldiers, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page516" id="page516"></a>[pg 516]</span> +and got away with them. Never was succor hailed with +more delight, than on this occasion; for, had the red +men succeeded in this endeavor, the benefits of this whole +campaign would have been greatly frustrated.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>The Fort Massachusetts here referred to has recently +been abandoned and another one has been built, distant +about six miles from the original site. The name is retained +for the new defences, which are located on the +river Trinchera. The present location is picturesque, +and beautiful in the extreme.</p> + +<p>In one of his fights, Col. 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 skirmish, the Indians +tried the ruse of setting fire to the prairie grass, +and, as the wind was blowing in the direction from which +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.</p> + +<p>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 appointed +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page517" id="page517"></a>[pg 517]</span> +force to act against them. Instead, while awaiting +the effect of their late telling blows, it was decided to +be judicious to keep out, in different directions, small scouting +parties, who could better follow the trails of the +small parties of fugitive Indians with some prospect +of success. It was 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 hostile +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 renewing +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 northeast of Fort Massachusetts, +and then returned to Taos <i>viâ</i> the fort and the intervening Mexican towns.</p> + +<p>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 +valuable freight across the country. It being dangerous +times, a party of ten picked men had been sent +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page518" id="page518"></a>[pg 518]</span> +out to insure the safe transit of the mail. Everything +went well with the little band of travelers, and their +prospects 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 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 unpleasant +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 commenced 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 derisive imputations. Under +the new impulse, they said to the Utahs, if you will +help, we will return and show you whether we are +afraid 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page519" id="page519"></a>[pg 519]</span> +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 prepare for the furies of the storm. +The Indians accordingly approached unperceived and +made such a desperate attack that all the white men +were quickly killed. 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; therefore, a body of men started +out in quest of the missing 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 a historical account of this awful tragedy.</p> + +<p>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 prevent +their being able to prosecute the war, thereby showing +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 children +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page520" id="page520"></a>[pg 520]</span> +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 +crippled 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 +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.</p> + +<p>War party after war party of Cheyennes and Arrapahoes +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:</p> + +<p>"Captain, my young men are no longer warriors. +They have become squaws. I sent them to seek our +nation's enemies. They went, discovered their fires +and counted their lodges, but were afraid to attack +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page521" id="page521"></a>[pg 521]</span> +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."</p> + +<p>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. Yellow +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 words 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 directly 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. Yellow Bear has always been +the firm friend of Kit Carson both by word and action. +He is the finest specimen of an Indian that the writer +ever laid eyes on. He stands in his moccasins over six +feet; is straight and symmetrically proportioned. The +head, however, is the main attraction of this Indian. +Never was a statesman possessed of a better. We once +heard him address a large council of his warriors, and, +although we could not understand 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 master-piece of +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page522" id="page522"></a>[pg 522]</span> +acting, and from the "humphs," or grunts, ejaculated +by his auditors, we were inclined to think that the +speech was impressive. There is one great point +about this chief which those who are familiar with the +Indian race, as they now exist, cannot but admire. He +has never been known to beg; rather than do this, we +believe, he would actually starve. 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.</p> + +<p>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 +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.</p> + +<p>The combined efforts of the two commanders, Colonel +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 Fé, commissioned +to sue for peace. Peace was finally granted, +which formed a most happy and pleasing termination to +this brilliant Indian campaign.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page523" id="page523"></a>[pg 523]</span> + +<p>It proved afterwards that a great mistake was made +in hastily allowing these Indians to evade the punishment +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 present to +sanction the proceedings, and that the remainder were +still in the mountains and were either hostile or undecided +what course they would pursue. Kit Carson, 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 whenever they were +so inclined. He said, "that now was the time, if ever, +when they might, at a small additional expense, +and with the prospect of saving many valuable 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 prescribed +limits. The making of such offers to tribes of savages +half subdued is absurd. The wisdom of this assertion +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 objected to receiving +on the ground that they were not fat enough to suit +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page524" id="page524"></a>[pg 524]</span> +their fastidious tastes. They insolently addressed the +Government officials in the following strain: "If you +do not give us better, we will again take the road +where we can have our choice."</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 frustrated. +These gentlemen, however, had won great +renown. 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 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 circumstances they +should have been shown true magnanimity 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 mountains +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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page525" id="page525"></a>[pg 525]</span> +by means of rifles and other weapons to teach, them that +they will not be permitted to plunder and murder at +pleasure. 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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>In the old Mexican town of Don Fernandez de Taos, +as we have before said, resides at the present time Kit +Carson. A stranger entering this town, and especially +at a little distance from it, is reminded of a number +of brick-kilns just previous 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 belonging to the town, the traveler is obliged +to follow the crooks and turns of several unattractive +streets. The home of Kit Carson faces on the west side +of this public square. It is a building only one story in +height; but, as it extends over a considerable space of +ground, it makes up in part this defect, and within, it is +surpassed by but few other houses in the country for the +degree of comfort which is furnishes to its occupants. +On most any fair day, around the doors of this house +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page526" id="page526"></a>[pg 526]</span> +may be seen many Indians of various tribes who are +either waiting for their companions within, or else for +the opportunity to present itself so that they themselves can enter.</p> + +<p>Business or no business to transact with Kit Carson, +they cannot come to town without visiting "Father Kit," +and having a smoke and talk with him. Kit Carson +enjoys himself in their society, for his heart and hand +have long since taught them that, irrespective of the +office which he holds towards them, he is their true friend +and benefactor. Never is his patience exhausted by +their lengthy visits. He listens to their narrations of +grievances which they lay freely before him for his counsel, +even in matters exclusively personal. Being familiar +with all those things which will, in the least, touch their +feelings and make them interested, he finds no difficulty +in entering into the spirit of their affairs in a manner +that exactly suits their tastes. This causes them to look +upon him in the same light as they would upon some +brave and experienced chief of their own race.</p> + +<p>Kit Carson takes every opportunity to warn the +Indians against the use of intoxicating drinks, and shows +them by his own example, that "fire water" is a dangerous +luxury which man does not require and in which he +should not indulge. Notwithstanding his best efforts, +now and then they get under its influence. On +becoming sober, they are so ashamed of their conduct +that they often keep clear of their agent until they +think he has forgotten the occurrence. Kit Carson, to +a certain extent, treats Indians as a wise father does his +own children; hence, he has won their respect as well as +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page527" id="page527"></a>[pg 527]</span> +confidence, which fact has given him more influence over +them, than any other man in the country where he lives. +When Kit Carson enters the various villages of the +Indians under his supervision, he is invariably received +with the most marked attention. Having selected the +warrior whose guest he intends to be, he accompanies +him to his lodge, which is known during his stay as the +"soldiers' lodge." He gives himself no concern about +his horse, saddle, bridle rifle or any minor thing. The +brave whom he has thus honoured, considers that he has +assumed the responsibility of a "soldier," and so styles +himself. This making 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 respect, 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.</p> + +<p>It is 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 detrimental +to them in many ways. He thinks 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 advises 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page528" id="page528"></a>[pg 528]</span> +stand now, the Indians, during a severe 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 is surrounded +by a host of Mexicans and Americans, to whom +he has greatly endeared himself. To his children Kit +Carson is a kind and indulgent father, and to best illustrate +his self-sacrificing attachment for them, it is only necessary +to relate 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 suddenly, +Kit Carson discovered, far off, 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 animals +increase. The glaring rays of the sun impeded his view, +so that he could not discern at such a distance, either +from their dress or appearance, to what tribe they belonged. +He was in a section of country that was frequently visited +by the marauding Camanches, 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 to be 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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page529" id="page529"></a>[pg 529]</span> +bridle reins be a little slack, so that the horse would +know what was expected 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 bye, 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 +was 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 +danger. While the friends were talking, some of the Indians +began to laugh, which caused Carson to turn his +head and look in the direction they were gazing. To 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 thankful +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page530" id="page530"></a>[pg 530]</span> +that matters had gone so well; therefore, he said that he +felt that he could excuse such dastardly conduct, 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 perfect safety.</p> + +<p>Several years have 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 appointment +as Indian agent. During this length of time Kit +Carson has retained this office and rendered satisfactory +service. The tract of country over which the Indians +roam who are especially connected with his agency, is +about equal in its area, to any one of the larger States +in the American Confederacy. The Indians who are +under his jurisdiction, are large and powerful bands of +the Apaches and Utahs; but, as we have said before, +neighboring tribes freely seek his counsel, aid and protectorate +power as they may require it, and they all, +from habit, consider that they have a claim on his services. +To best illustrate 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 and the most brutal punishment +which Indian ingenuity could invent. For one year they +submitted without exhibiting any outward symptoms by +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page531" id="page531"></a>[pg 531]</span> +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 opportunity, +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 horsemen, 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 traveled 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 comfortable 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 Mexican 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 be sent to their own tribe, they +went away rejoicing at their good fortune; first in +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page532" id="page532"></a>[pg 532]</span> +making their escape, and second, because they had been +so humanely treated by a man 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.</p> + +<p>The duties of an agent are not by Kit Carson confined +to the mere letter of the law. His is 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 require +that he should receive and disburse certain sums +of money in purchasing such minor articles as the +tribes over which he is placed may require. He has to +give monthly and quarterly reports to the General Government +and the superintendent of the Territory he is +in, of the condition, crimes, practices, habits, intentions, +health, and such other things as pertain to the economy +of his charge. How seldom is this knowledge properly +attained and how often are these things intrusted +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 +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page533" id="page533"></a>[pg 533]</span> +of pleasure rather than severe labor; but, if he +is ignorant of the minute workings 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 wants and protect them from the mercenary visits +and contact of outside intruders, who are continually +watching their opportunity, 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. .</p> + +<p>The business of Indian agent, which he strictly and +conscientiously attends to, keeps Kit Carson employed +during the most of his time; yet, as often as once each +year, he manages affairs so that he can spend a few +weeks in the exciting scenes of the chase. On these +excursions, which are eagerly looked forward to by his +friends, he is accompanied by the crack shots of the +country, including his Indian and Mexican friends. On +horseback and on open prairies, Kit Carson is indisputably +the greatest hunter in America, if indeed he is not +the greatest hunter now living. He has killed, in the +brief space of three consecutive hours, with his rifle, +twenty-two antelope, at a time when 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. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page534" id="page534"></a>[pg 534]</span> +It gives the greatest satisfaction to the people of New +Mexico that Kit Carson is, from time to time, reinstalled +in his office of Indian agent, notwithstanding the +other great changes that have been and are continually +making in their politics. His fitness for the position +which he holds cannot be doubted, when the good +already accomplished by his efforts is considered. No +one would be so loath to part with his services as the +Indians themselves. His influence reaches far beyond +his own tribes, and is felt by the Cheyennes, Arrapahoes, +and Kiowas, who are fast becoming very chary about +visiting, with hostile intentions, the settlements of northern New Mexico.</p> + +<p>Kit Carson is still in the full vigor of his manhood, +and is capable of undergoing almost any amount of +privation and hardship; therefore we infer that to the +country he has adopted; he will be spared many years +to come, as one of its most valuable citizens. And +when the time arrives for his final exit from this stage +of life, he will bequeath to his family and friends a +spotless character and an enviable reputation.</p> + + +<h4>FINIS.</h4> + +<hr /> + +<blockquote class="footnote"><a id="footnote1" name="footnote1"></a><b>Footnote 1: </b><a href="#footnotetag1">(return) </a><p>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 Aborigines, 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 personage, +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 gentleman 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 savages 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 he had enlisted himself in an active practice. After a few days, the Indians +were delighted with the results, and began to look upon their prisoner as possessed +of superhuman 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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote class="footnote"><a id="footnote2" name="footnote2"></a><b>Footnote 2: </b><a href="#footnotetag2">(return) </a><p>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 other causes. Many of their habits are strikingly +similar to those of the domestic dog, with the simple difference 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 Indians. 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 dangerous. The first night a person sleeps on a prairie is ever afterwards +vividly impressed upon his memory. 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 unpleasant forebodings concerning the future; and, the idea that +these fellows may be soon clearing his bones, is not very genial to the fancy. To +the wolf the graveyard 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 incessant 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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote class="footnote"><a id="footnote3" name="footnote3"></a><b>Footnote 3: </b><a href="#footnotetag3">(return) </a><p>Salt Springs.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote class="footnote"><a id="footnote4" name="footnote4"></a><b>Footnote 4: </b><a href="#footnotetag4">(return) </a><p>These stampedes are a source of great profit to the Indians of the Plains. It +is by this means they deprive the caravans of their animals. The Camanches are +particularly expert and daring in this kind of robbery. 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 camp of their victims. +All of the picketed animals will endeavor to follow, 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 scale 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 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 stampeded 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 fighting 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. +Four years since, one of these stampedes occurred on the Plains of a band +of horses, in which there were several hundred valuable animals. It was 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 +sustained more or less injury.</p> + +<p>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, when away they all go with long ropes and picket pins dangling after +them. The latter sometimes act like harpoons, being thrown with such impetus 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 circumstances.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote class="footnote"><a id="footnote5" name="footnote5"></a><b>Footnote 5: </b><a href="#footnotetag5">(return) </a><p>The mountain Indians, during the Summer season generally come down from +their secure retreats and are engaged either in hunting buffalo, or marching on the +war-path. When they are at peace with the Indians of the Plains, which is rarely +the case, they join them, and, together, with their united strength and skill, they +make piratical excursions into the Settlements of the Mexicans. While out on this +business, they leave their families in some secluded spot for abundant caution, +placing them under the guardianship of the old men, assisted by some of the +younger members of the tribe.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote class="footnote"><a id="footnote6" name="footnote6"></a><b>Footnote 6: </b><a href="#footnotetag6">(return) </a><p>Animalium patris testiculum.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote class="footnote"><a id="footnote7" name="footnote7"></a><b>Footnote 7: </b><a href="#footnotetag7">(return) </a><p>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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote class="footnote"><a id="footnote8" name="footnote8"></a><b>Footnote 8: </b><a href="#footnotetag8">(return) </a><p>Charles Wentworth Upham.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote class="footnote"><a id="footnote9" name="footnote9"></a><b>Footnote 9: </b><a href="#footnotetag9">(return) </a><p>The reader will easily correct the few discrepancies of facts contained in +this statement, by the narrative which is from Carson himself, and given with a view to +publication.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote class="footnote"><a id="footnote10" name="footnote10"></a><b>Footnote 10: </b><a href="#footnotetag10">(return) </a><p>We give the name which was applied to this river at the date of the facts related in the text. It is now called the Humboldt River.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote class="footnote"><a id="footnote11" name="footnote11"></a><b>Footnote 11: </b><a href="#footnotetag11">(return) </a><p>See page <a href="#page161">161</a>.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote class="footnote"><a id="footnote12" name="footnote12"></a><b>Footnote 12: </b><a href="#footnotetag12">(return) </a><p><i>Corral</i>, a barnyard.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote class="footnote"><a id="footnote13" name="footnote13"></a><b>Footnote 13: </b><a href="#footnotetag13">(return) </a><p>A lariet is a beautifully made rope, manufactured from hides and used for picketing horses out upon the prairies. They are worth, in New Mexico, about two dollars each.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote class="footnote"><a id="footnote14" name="footnote14"></a><b>Footnote 14: </b><a href="#footnotetag14">(return) </a><p>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 farmhouses. +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 +manners 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 contrast +with the precepts of that Holy Book. He next turns up as a hunter and +trapper; when, in this capacity, he became more celebrated for his wild and daring +adventures than before he had been for his mild precepts. 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 Mexicans, 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 knowledge 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 Explorer, he was past the meridian of life. After bequeathing 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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote class="footnote"><a id="footnote15" name="footnote15"></a><b>Footnote 15: </b><a href="#footnotetag15">(return) </a><p>Five years ago this settlement contained, about thirty inhabitants, mostly +Mexicans. It was frequently subjected to various kinds of annoyances from Indians. +On one occasion it was attacked by the hostile 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 desperately before he was dispatched, +that he killed three of his assailants. When his body was found, it was +literally pierced through and through with lance and arrow 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.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote class="footnote"><a id="footnote16" name="footnote16"></a><b>Footnote 16: </b><a href="#footnotetag16">(return) </a><p>White men have frequently enrolled themselves as warriors among the American +Indians; but they have rarely gained the full confidence of the Indians, who, +naturally very proud of their birthright, view with a jealous eye all intruders.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote class="footnote"><a id="footnote17" name="footnote17"></a><b>Footnote 17: </b><a href="#footnotetag17">(return) </a><p>Thirty Years View, vol. ii. chap. 134.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote class="footnote"><a id="footnote18" name="footnote18"></a><b>Footnote 18: </b><a href="#footnotetag18">(return) </a><p>The game most frequently played is <i>monte</i>.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote class="footnote"><a id="footnote19" name="footnote19"></a><b>Footnote 19: </b><a href="#footnotetag19">(return) </a><p>Blunt projecting mountains.</p></blockquote> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page256" id="page256"></a>[pg 256]</span> + +<blockquote class="footnote"><a id="footnote20" name="footnote20"></a><b>Footnote 20: </b><a href="#footnotetag20">(return) </a><p>This expression of "father," with these Indians, means their agent.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote class="footnote"><a id="footnote21" name="footnote21"></a><b>Footnote 21: </b><a href="#footnotetag21">(return) </a><p>Buffalo chips form the principal fuel of the plains. It is dry buffalo manure.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote class="footnote"><a id="footnote22" name="footnote22"></a><b>Footnote 22: </b><a href="#footnotetag22">(return) </a><p>A trapper phrase for being killed.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote class="footnote"><a id="footnote23" name="footnote23"></a><b>Footnote 23: </b><a href="#footnotetag23">(return) </a><p>Mr. Hawkins was the owner of a large gun establishment at St. Louis, Mo.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote class="footnote"><a id="footnote24" name="footnote24"></a><b>Footnote 24: </b><a href="#footnotetag24">(return) </a><p>These 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 mouth, an animal cannot +drink or feed. A Mexican only waters his horse twice a day when traveling, +viz. morning and night.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote class="footnote"><a id="footnote25" name="footnote25"></a><b>Footnote 25: </b><a href="#footnotetag25">(return) </a><p>Company D, 2d Regiment U.S. Artillery.</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote class="footnote"><a id="footnote26" name="footnote26"></a><b>Footnote 26: </b><a href="#footnotetag26">(return) </a><p>D Company, 2d Regiment U. S. Artillery.</p></blockquote> + +<hr /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page535" id="page535"></a>[pg 535]</span> + +<h4>RECENTLY ISSUED,</h4> + +<h2>BY W.R.C. CLARK & CO.,</h2> + +<h3><i>348 Broadway,</i></h3> + +<h4><i>Appleton's Building.</i></h4> + +<h1>GEORGE MELVILLE,</h1> + +<h4>AN AMERICAN NOVEL.</h4> + +<p>One handsome 12mo. volume, nearly 400 pages. Price $1.00</p> + +<h3>CONTENTS.</h3> + +<p>I. George Melville and Thomas F. Griswold determine +that "Old Sassy" had better look out.</p> + +<p>II. Horses <i>versus</i> Thorn-Apple Tree Limbs.</p> + +<p>III. "Wait for the Wagon."</p> + +<p>IV. The Boyhood Days of George Melville.</p> + +<p>V. The Excursion Party for Niagara—Astor House—James +Mordaunt—The Plot.</p> + +<p>VI. Aurora—Cayuga Lake—The Pic-nic.</p> + +<p>VII. Clara Edgemonte's Mistake.</p> + +<p>VIII. Melville's and Griswold's Tour—A true Hand +and firm Seat always come in Play.</p> + +<p>IX. Sunset at Niagara—James Mordaunt's Declaration.</p> + +<p>X. The Morning Walk—An Old Friend in Duplicate.</p> + +<p>XI. Hon. B.F. Mortimer—H.B. Edgemonte, Esq.,—James +Mordaunt, Esq.—Frederick Mortimer—Thomas +F. Griswold—George Melville—Mrs. +Mortimer—Mrs. Edgemonte—Bell Mortimer—Clara +Edgemonte—The Breakfast Party.</p> + +<p>XII. Bob Shank—The Fire—The Cave.</p> + +<p>XIII. Bell hates the Rain, but finally has no Objection +to it—Miss Blackwood's Party.</p> + +<p>XIV. Various Things material both to the Story and +the Reader—The Catfish Railroad Scheme.</p> + +<p>XV. Ahead—Back again.</p> + +<p>XVI. Who is Uncle Sam—Syracuse—Camillus—Junction—Auburn—A +New York Lawyer obtains a +Case (a hard one).</p> + +<p>XVII. The Dinner Party at Aurora—The Telegram—Mrs. +Tryon's Glance.</p> + +<p>XVIII. Broadway, New York—James Mordaunt, Esq., +at his Office in Wall street—Is he a Married +Man?</p> + +<p>XIX. Rev. John Furnace—The Funeral—The Lawsuit—The +Catfish Railroad Stock at a Premium.</p> + +<p>XX. Arrival of the Liverpool Steamer—New York +Firemen—Griswold's Heroism—The Catfish +Railroad Stock falling—Trouble.</p> + +<p>XXI. Short but Interesting.</p> + +<p>XXII. A Sail on Cayuga Lake before Breakfast—Thermometer +thirty Degrees below Zero—Two +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page536" id="page536"></a>[pg 536]</span> +Miles a Minute under a fair Wind—Bell Mortimer +takes an Observation—The Surprise not +a Surprise—The Race Home—The Ice-Boat +too much for the Horses—The Runaway—The +Rescue,—Love told without Words—Death cheated, of his Prey.</p> + +<p>XXIII. Plans for the Future.</p> + +<p>XXIV. Commencement Day at Hamilton College—William +Hastings—How a Clerk in New York +City may obtain a Partnership.</p> + +<p>XXV. A Friend in Need.</p> + +<p>XXVI. New York City Corporation Counsel—All Marriage Notices not Agreeable.</p> + +<p>XXVII. Sarah E. Graham's call at Mordaunt's Law +Office—A Cool Scene—James Mordaunt in trouble.</p> + +<p>XXVIII. George Melville under a Cloud.</p> + +<p>XXIX. The Metropolis of America never sleeps—Scene +in Twenty-Third street late at Night.</p> + +<p>XXX. An Arrest—A Promise made, and a Promise given.</p> + +<p>XXXI. A Station on the N.Y. Central Railroad—Car +Manufactory—Reception of a Convict at the +Auburn State Prison—The Model Prison of the United States.</p> + +<p>XXXII. More about the Prison.</p> + +<p>XXXIII. James Mordaunt, Esq., triumphs.</p> + +<p>XXXIV. Mr. M——l, Chief of the New York Police, puts +his Private Seal upon a Coffin in Greenwood Cemetery.</p> + +<p>XXXV. A Council of War.</p> + +<p>XXXVI. A Smash-up in Broadway, N.Y.—The New York +Hospital—The New York Press—Sarah E. Graham a Lunatic.</p> + +<p>XXXVII. Bell and Charger.</p> + +<p>XXXVIII. An Ante-Breakfast Ride—The Homestead of an American Statesman.</p> + +<p>XXXIX. Fort-Hill Cemetery—"Who is there to Mourn +for Logan?"—How to carry on a Correspondence +with a Convict—Distant View of the +Auburn State Prison—Bell Mortimer in her Sanctum.</p> + +<p>XL. A Change in the progress of Events foreshadowed—Exercise of Wits—The Statesman +proves too much for the Lawyer.</p> + +<p>XLI. An Alumnus of Hamilton College, <i>nolens volens</i>, +becomes a Skillful Mechanic.</p> + +<p>XLII. A Ray of Hope.</p> + +<p>XLIII. Woman's Rights—The State Lunatic Asylum at +Utica, Oneida County, N.Y.</p> + +<p>XLIV. The Arrest—Interview with the Governor of the Empire State.</p> + +<p>XLV. A Mountain in Massachusetts—The Home of an +ex-President of the United States.</p> + +<p>XLVI. Another Telegram—Early rising sometimes proves very agreeable.</p> + +<p>XLVII. Bell Mortimer makes the Acquaintance of Sarah E. Graham.</p> + +<p>XLVIII. The Homestead of an American Mechanic—A Proposition.</p> + +<p>XLIX. Trial of the Action "Wilcox against Mordaunt"—Thomas +F. Griswold, Esquire, addresses the +Jury—The Utica Asylum again—One of the Biters bitten.</p> + +<p>L. Death of a New York City Policeman—A Trial, +Sentence, and Execution—Ought Governors +hold the Pardoning Power?</p> + +<p>LI. The Island Martha's Vineyard.</p> + +<p>LII. Sunday-school in Prison—The Chaplain and his +Convict Congregation—A Convict who had +well earned his position reflects—Two Deaths.</p> + +<p>LIII. A Wedding—Wedding Tour—Conclusion.</p> + + + +<h3>NOTICES OF THE PRESS.</h3> + +<center><i>From the Boston Traveller.</i></center> + +<p>"The language is chaste and dignified, and varies to suit the different circumstances. +A high-toned integrity, clear common sense, and a true representation of +life in its real and sound aspects, characterize the work."</p> + +<p>"One of the best novels of the day."</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page537" id="page537"></a>[pg 537]</span> + +<center><i>From the New York Leader.</i></center> + +<p>"A work of much power, possessing vastly more of that reality, which makes +the real charm of a romance, than anything which has preceded it this season."</p> + +<center><i>From the Cincinnati Commercial.</i></center> + +<p>"A well written volume, spicy with interest, and quite above the every day +average of the flood of works of fiction."</p> + +<center><i>From the Chambersburg (Pa.) Independent.</i></center> + +<p>"We submit the work to the perusal of our readers, as one replete with interest +and instruction."</p> + +<center><i>From the Ladies' Visitor.</i></center> + +<p>"'GEORGE MELVILLE,' coming just now, will be even more certain of a warm +reception than if he only swelled the crowd of claimants for the popular favor."</p> + +<center><i>From the Albany (N.Y.) Knickerbocker.</i></center> + +<p>"The style is dashing, and the scenes and incidents in the highest degree interesting. +We commend 'GEORGE MELVILLE' to our readers."</p> + +<center><i>From the Morristown (N.J.) Banner.</i></center> + +<p>"The main features have evidently been actual occurrences, and are skillfully +worked together by a talented writer, who, with an eye to its good moral influence +has made a book which is at once pleasing, interesting and exciting."</p> + +<center><i>From the Constitution (Middletown, Ct.)</i></center> + +<p>"A book of great interest and spirit, and one that brings out, in a strong light, +some peculiar traits of American character."</p> + +<center><i>From the Critic.</i></center> + +<p>"An unusually well-written and interesting book."</p> + +<center><i>From the Boston Saturday Evening Gazette.</i></center> + +<p>"There is a deal of promise in a new novel just out called 'GEORGE MELVILLE.' +It is a dashing, clever, well-written story; its characters talk with animation and +plenty of animal spirit, and 'the plot converges to an issue' according to the +most approved rules. It has the American Stamp, and imitates no transatlantic +author—a merit worth noticing."</p> + +<center><i>From the New York Sunday Times.</i></center> + +<p>"Its style is graphic, careless, romping and fanciful, and it is really captivating."</p> + +<center><i>From the Albany Evening Journal.</i></center> + +<p>"The style is lively; the dialogues frequent and effective; the graver scenes +well drawn and the book wholly what it purports to be—an American Novel, +characteristically descriptive of American Life."</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page538" id="page538"></a>[pg 538]</span> + +<center><i>From the New York Sunday Mercury.</i></center> + +<p>"A book that will repay the reader for the time spent in its perusal. A pleasant +companion for Saratoga, or the sea-shore."</p> + +<center><i>From the Educational Herald.</i></center> + +<p>"Its descriptions and pictures are very graphic."</p> + +<p>The following notice from the <i>Toledo Blade</i>, is so just and true that +we copy it entire:</p> + +<p>"We had almost said, after reading this story, 'The good old days of Cooper +have come again.' It is really refreshing, in the midst of so much literary pretension, +to meet with something of real merit.</p> + +<p>"The conception of the plot is admirable—the characters finely portrayed—the +scenery true to nature and the interest maintained throughout. Its life-like pictures, +as well as the style of its author must commend it to every one who feels +any interest in the revival of a genuine, home-bred American literature. When +such tales as this reflecting on our own manners, scenery, morals and laws can be +produced, there is little reason that our fiction-writers should be superseded by +foreigners. A tale of equal merit with this, so neatly told, so entirely American, +has not of late been issued from the press.</p> + +<p>"The scenery of Central New York—a sail on the placid waters of Cayuga +Lake in summer, and across the ice which covers it in winter—the picturesque +views around Auburn and the grand sublimity of Niagara, are alike portrayed in +vivid characters.</p> + +<p>"Character is as well delineated as scenery. Dark and light shades—gay and +corrupt life—vanity, vice and virtue, all perform their appropriate parts, in making +up a goodly number of men and women, who once fairly introduced, carry themselves +very naturally through plot and counter plot, to the close of a story which +aptly illustrates the elements composing American society, in its various phases. +There are many such victims as Melville, and many such true hearted girls as +Bell Mortimer.</p> + +<p>"We do not pretend that the writer has attained perfection. The book has +faults—but these may be overcome by a writer of so much real ability, and we +hope his pen will not be allowed to remain idle.</p> + +<p>"GEORGE MELVILLE is a pleasant story—written in a chaste style with a good +moral, and we cheerfully commend it to our readers."</p> + +<p>*** Copies sent by mail to any part of the United States, pre-paid, upon receipt of price.</p> + +<hr /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page539" id="page539"></a>[pg 539]</span> + +<h3>A BEAUTIFUL GIFT BOOK.</h3> + +<h2>SHELLS</h2> + +<h4>FROM THE</h4> + +<h2>SEA-SHORE OF LIFE,</h2> + +<h4>GATHERED BY</h4> + +<h3>PEARLY SHELLEY.</h3> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p>This work comprises the lighter and more sketchy productions +of one of the most original and distinguished writers in +the country. The "Shells" are symbolical of the various lights +and shades of Life—scattered over its surface or lying deep +beneath its ocean. They embody a series of writings which may be called</p> + +<h3>THE PARABLES OF THE WORLD!</h3> + +<p>Every one of the series contains a moral which the Christian +as well as the man of the world may bring home to his observation +or experience. They sound the depths of the heart in the +womanly as well as in the manly breast.</p> + +<p>Some of these brilliant sketches symbolized in Shells, were +originally published in many of the first-class newspaper and +periodical press; while others, again, have been republished +extensively throughout the country. They are now "gathered" +emphatically not only from the "Sea-Shore of Life," by the +Author, but from the mass of journals through which they have +been scattered broadcast far and wide.</p> + +<p>The "Shells" are published in a style which makes them, +in their typographical and external dress, equal to their intellectual +and moral interest, and renders them one of the most +beautiful and appropriate presents that can be selected for the holidays.</p> + +<table summary="prices" align="center"> +<tr><td align="left"><i>One vol., 12mo., with twenty-one original illustrations, cloth</i>, </td><td align="right">$0 75</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><i>Cloth, full gilt</i>, </td><td align="right">1 25</td></tr> +</table> + +<p class="author"><b>W.R.C. CLARK & Co., Publishers,</b></p> + +<p class="author">348 BROADWAY, NEW YORK.</p> + +<p class="author"><i>(Appletons' Building.)</i></p> + +<hr /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page540" id="page540"></a>[pg 540]</span> + +<h4>ALSO, LATELY ISSUED, THE FOLLOWING</h4> + +<h2>NEW MUSIC.</h2> + +<h3>SISTER SPIRIT, STAY NOT HERE—SONG.</h3> + +<center><i>Price Fifty Cents.</i></center> + +<center>WORDS AND MUSIC BY C. HATCH SMITH.</center> + +<center><i>From the New York Day Book.</i></center> + +<p>"There is a tenderness and a pathos, both in the words and the music, so admirably +adapted to each other, that it cannot fail to please all who may hear it."</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<h3>HO! THE DEEP—SONG.</h3> + +<h4>BY ALLEN N. LEET, JR.</h4> + +<center><i>Price Twenty-five Cents.</i></center> + +<p>A very inspiriting song, well adapted to the piano. The novelty of +the melody has already made it very popular.</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<h3>SPIRIT OF THE ISLAND HOME—SONG.</h3> + +<center><i>Price Twenty-Five Cents.</i></center> + +<center>WORDS AND MUSIC BY C. HATCH SMITH.</center> + +<p>A new and very beautiful song. Its tones bring the murmur of the +waves to our ears. The imitation of the motion of the sea is admirable.</p> + +<p>Either of the above pieces will be sent by mail, post-paid, upon +receipt of the price, or all of them on receipt of 75 cents.</p> + +<center>W.R.C. 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