to send the despatches to Washington by
another, while he employed the mountaineer to guide him back.

This delicate duty was executed with such admirable skill that General
Kearney commended Carson in the highest terms. So rapidly did they move
that California was entered early in December, and they were approaching
San Diego, when the scouts brought news that a large party of Mexicans
were intrenched a short distance ahead with the intention of disputing
their advance. Fifteen men under Carson were sent forward to drive in
the outposts and capture such loose animals as could be found.

A fierce fight followed, the Mexicans showing far more daring and skill
than was expected. General Kearney was compelled to send two companies
of dragoons and twenty-five California volunteers to charge the enemy.
Carson was in the front column, and was riding at high speed, when his
horse stumbled, throwing him so violently as to shatter the stock of
his gun. He lay partly stunned but speedily recovering, he caught up the
rifle of a dead dragoon and rushed into the fight. Though the Mexicans
were finally driven out, they inflicted frightful loss on the Americans.
Nearly every man who was in the front column, where Carson was riding
when his horse threw him, was killed by the deadly bullets of the enemy.

The Mexicans soon rallied and attacked the Americans with such
fierceness that the advance guard was driven back and forced to act on
the defensive. No soldiers could have fought with greater gallantry
than did the assailants. Before the two mountain howitzers could
be unlimbered, almost every man around them was shot down. Then the
Mexicans charged forward, lassoed the horses, captured one of the guns
and turned it on the Americans. From some cause or other it could not
be discharged. Finally, the Americans took refuge among the rocks, where
they were surrounded by three or four times their number, seemingly with
the choice of two courses before them--to surrender or starve to death.

CHAPTER XXIX.

Daring Exploit of Kit Carson and Lieutenant Beale--General Kearney
Saved.

The situation of General Kearney and his men could not have been more
desperate. The only subsistence they had were their mules, and the water
was insufficient to meet their wants. They were completely surrounded by
the brave California Mexicans. They might exist for a time on the bodies
of their animals, but they must perish without water.

General K