and
guidance in situations of extreme peril. Among them all was no one with
such masterful resources in that respect as he.

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

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

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

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

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

CHAPTER III.

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

The trappers being in the heart of the Indian country, with hostile
on every hand, were cautious in all their movements. When one of the