e just in time to learn that the Apaches had visited the
little settlement and run off all the animals. But as enough soldiers
were within call, a pursuit was soon organized and very nearly all the
stock was recovered.

Some months later an officer of the United States Army in Taos learned
of a most atrocious plot that was on foot. Two wealthy gentlemen,
travelling leisurely through that section of the country, had engaged an
American named Fox to hire enough men to escort them across the plains.
This Fox was one of the most conscienceless wretches and desperadoes
that ever lived. He formed a scheme to murder the two gentlemen at a
certain point on the plains and to divide their money among him and his
companions. Those whom he secured were taken into his confidence and
agreed to the crime before hand.

Among those to whom he applied was a miscreant in Taos, who, for some
reason, refused to go with him. However, he kept the secret until
sure the entire party were so far out on the plains that nothing could
prevent the perpetration of the crime. He then told it to several
associates, one of whom made it known to the officer of whom we have
spoken.

This gentleman was horrified, and uncertain what could be done, if
indeed he could do anything, hastened to Kit Carson, to whom he made
known the story. The mountaineer listened eagerly, and, as soon as he
grasped the whole plot, declared there was reason to believe it was not
too late to frustrate it. With that wonderful intuition which was such a
marked characteristic of his nature, he fixed upon the very place where
it had been decided the crime was to be committed. Knowing the entire
route, it was easy to determine the spot most likely to be selected,
which was more than two hundred miles distant. Instead, therefore, of
following the trail, he struck directly across the open prairie by the
most direct course to his destination.

Ten finely mounted dragoons accompanied, all ready for any deed of
daring. The route led through a country where the Indians were very
hostile, but they were avoided with little difficulty. The second night
out, they came upon the encampment of a detachment of United States
troops, whose captain volunteered to take twenty of his soldiers and
help bring the desperadoes to justice.

The expedition was a complete success. They overtook the party at the
very spot fixed upon, and Fox was arrested before he suspected the
business of the strangers i