and Carson, who had been devoting his valuable
services to General Kearney, now rejoined his old friend, Fremont.

It may be stated in this place that the jealousy between Commodore
Stockton and General Kearney assumed such a shape at that time that
Fremont was compelled to acknowledge either one or the other as his
superior officer. He selected Commodore Stockton as the one to whom he
owed superior allegiance. The result of the petty quarrel was the trial
of Fremont by court martial, the particulars of which are too well known
to require further reference at our hands.

In the following March, Kit Carson was selected to carry despatches to
Washington. Lieutenant Beale, who was still suffering from the exposure
and hardships he had undergone, accompanied him, together with a guard
of a dozen veteran mountaineers. Lieutenant Beale was so weak that
Carson for many days was obliged to lift him on and off his horse; but
the clear air, the healthful exercise and the cheery companionship of
the hardy scout were the best tonics in the world, and probably did the
invalid more good than any other treatment that could have been devised.

Carson took an extremely southern route, and his superior skill and
knowledge of the country and its inhabitants enabled him to avoid all
danger until he reached a tributary of the lower Colorado. While in camp
at midnight, they were assailed with a shower of arrows from a party
of Indians; but, as Carson expected the attack, he had made such
preparations that not one of his men were injured.

Without any other incident worth the mention, Carson and his escort
reached St. Louis. There the renowned mountaineer became the hero of
the hour. He was taken at once to the home of Hon. Thomas H. Benton, the
distinguished statesman and the father in law of Colonel Fremont, who
introduced him to the leading Citizens.

The first person to greet Carson when he stepped from the cars in
Washington was Mrs. Fremont, who recognized him from the description
given by her husband in his letters. She compelled him to accompany her
to the house of her father, where he remained an honored guest during
his stay in Washington, which was for a considerable time.

Among the compliments paid Carson while in the capital was that of his
appointment by President Polk, as lieutenant in the rifle corps of the
United States army, and he was ordered to return across the continent
with despatches. At Fort Leavenworth, Carson