as already well-silvered, but
his face full and florid. You would scarcely regard him, at first sight,
as a very noticeable man, except as having a well knit frame and full,
deep chest. But on observing him more closely, you were struck with
the breadth and openness of his brow, bespeaking more than ordinary
intelligence and courage; with his quick, blue eye, that caught
everything at a glance apparently--an eye beaming with kindliness and
benevolence, but that could blaze with anger when aroused; and with
his full, square jaw and chin, that evidently could shut as tight as
Sherman's or Grant's when necessary. With nothing of the swashbuckler
or Buffalo Bill--of the border ruffian or the cowboy--about him, his
manners were as gentle, and his voice as soft and sympathetic, as a
woman's. What impressed one most about his face was its rare kindliness
and charity--that here, at last, was a natural gentleman, simple as a
child but brave as a lion. He soon took our hearts by storm, and the
more we saw of him the more we became impressed with his true manliness
and worth. Like everybody else on the border, he smoked freely, and at
one time drank considerably; but he had quit drinking years before, and
said he owed his excellent health and preeminence, if he had any, to
his habits of almost total abstinence. In conversation he was slow and
hesitating at first, approaching almost to bashfulness, often seemingly
at a loss for words; but, as he warmed up, this disappeared, and
you soon found him talking glibly, and with his hands and fingers as
well--rapidly gesticulating--Indian fashion. He was very conscientious,
and in all our talks would frequently say: 'Now, stop gentlemen! Is this
right?' 'Ought we to do this?' 'Can we do that?' 'Is this like human
nature?' or words to this effect, as if it was the habit of his mind
to test everything by the moral law. I think that was the predominating
feature of his character--his perfect honesty and truthfulness--quite as
much as his matchless coolness and courage. Said Sherman to me one day
while there: 'His integrity is simply perfect. The red skins know it,
and would trust Kit any day before they would us, or the President,
either!' And Kit well returned their confidence, by being their
steadfast, unswerving friend and ready champion.

"He talked freely of his past life, unconscious of its extraordinary
character. Born in Kentucky, he said, he early took to the plains and
mountains, an