now, as the former expedition had done, Colonel Beale forced his way
with great difficulty through them. The search for the Indians was long
but fruitless. The cunning red skins were at home in their fastnesses
and not a solitary warrior was bagged.

As the supply of provisions was running low, Colonel Beale was forced to
return and retrace his steps. On their return, they came upon a village
of Apaches into which the soldiers charged; but the nimble warriors
easily got away, with the exception of a couple of chiefs who fell into
the hands of the Americans. Hoping to rouse the chivalry and gratitude
of their nature, Colonel Beale lectured them kindly and after their
promise to behave themselves, allowed them to depart. As soon as they
were beyond rifle shot, they must have grinned with exultation, for it
was not their nature to repay kindness with anything but cruelty.

As Colonel Beale could not accomplish anything during the winter months,
he returned to Taos, where he remained until February, when, learning
that a large force of Indians were congregated on the Arkansas, with a
number of Mexican captives, he went thither intending to retake them
by force, if they could not be secured by peaceable means. He had two
companies of dragoons, and as before, engaged Carson as guide.

When he reached the Arkansas, he found himself confronted by two
thousand Indians who had gathered to meet their agent and probably to
consult as to their future movements. The agent was present and was a
man of practical sense and experience. He told Colonel Beale that it
would never do to demand the prisoners, for the Indians were in ugly
temper and if aroused, would massacre the whole command. Colonel Beale
himself was resentful, and very much disposed to give the red men
battle, but he suffered himself to be dissuaded from carrying out his
original purpose.

When Carson returned once more to Taos, he reflected that he was
approaching middle life, and as he now had quite a family, he was
anxious to provide something for them. Though he had rendered services
beyond value to the United States government, and to different
individuals, he had not received enough compensation to place them
above want should he become disabled. About this time, his old friend,
Maxwell, proposed that they should build a ranch in a beautiful valley
some distance north of Taos. The site was a most charming one, though it
was so much exposed to the attack of Indians