ience under the fatal
blows of hostile savages, attributable no doubt in some measure to
bad advice, we can thus more easily form a correct judgment of the
hardships which Kit Carson has been called upon to endure and the
wisdom or skill which he has displayed in surmounting every obstacle
on his wild and solitary pathway. The hardships which fell to the lot
of the "trappers of olden time" also stand out in bolder relief. Out
of the whole catalogue of labors, from which man, to gain an honest
livelihood has selected, there is not one profession which presents
so many formidable obstacles as that under consideration; yet, it was
with difficulty that the mountaineers could wean themselves from their
calling even when forced by stern necessity.

CHAPTER VII.

Kit Carson is employed as Hunter to Bent's Fort--His Career
for Eight Years--Messrs. Bent and St. Vrain--The commencement
of his Acquaintance with John C. Fremont on a Steamboat--Is
employed as a Guide by the Great Explorer--The
Journey--Arrival at Fort Laramie--Indian Difficulties--The
business of the Expedition completed--Return to Fort
Laramie--Kit Carson goes to Taos and is married--He is
employed as Hunter to a Train of Wagons bound for the
States--Meeting with Captain Cook and four companies of U.S.
Dragoons on Walnut Creek--Mexicans in Trouble--Kit Carson
carries a Letter for them to Santa Fe--Indians on the
Route--His safe Arrival--Amijos' advance Guard massacred by
the Texians--The one Survivor--The Retreat--Kit Carson returns
to Bent's Fort--His Adventures with the Utahs and narrow
escape from Death--The Texians disarmed--The Express Ride
performed.

It has already appeared that Kit Carson was now at Bent's Fort. Also,
that his occupation as a trapper of beaver had become unprofitable.
His services were however immediately put into requisition by Messrs.
Bent and St. Vrain, the proprietors of what was called Bent's Fort,
which was a trading-post kept by those gentlemen. The position which
he accepted was that of Hunter to the Fort. This office he filled from
that time with the most undeviating fidelity and promptitude for eight
consecutive years. During all of this long period not a single word
of disagreement passed between him and his employers, which fact
shows better than mere words, that his duty was faithfully and
satisfactorily performed. It is but seldom that such a fact can