s soon as possible,
not knowing what accident the next hour might bring forth.'"

This peak was found, by barometrical observation, to be _thirteen
thousand five hundred and seventy_ feet above the waters of the Gulf
of Mexico. It bears the name of the Great Explorer, being called
Fremont's Peak.

The return trip was now commenced, all of the objects of the
expedition having been successfully accomplished. The party again
reached Fort Laramie in the month of September, 1842. Kit Carson had
served in the double capacity as a hunter and guide. It is sufficient
to say of the manner in which he performed his duties that he won
the friendship of John C. Fremont, and has ever occupied since then a
prominent and permanent place in his esteem. At Laramie, Kit Carson's
labors were done. There he bid his commander good bye and set out
for New Mexico. Fremont returned to the United States in safety. Thus
terminated the first of his great explorations.

Kit Carson's Indian wife had long since been dead. In the month
of February, 1843, he married a Mexican lady by the name of Senora
Josepha Jarimilla. Of this lady it is sufficient to say that for her
many virtues and personal beauty she is justly esteemed by a large
circle of acquaintance. By this wife Kit Carson has three children, to
whom he is devotedly attached.

In the following April Kit Carson was employed as hunter to accompany
Bent and St. Vrain's train of wagons, while on their journey to the
United States. On arriving at Walnut Creek, which is about two-thirds
of the distance across the Plains from Santa Fe, Kit and his
companions came upon the encampment of Captain Cook, belonging to the
United States Army--who was in command of four companies of United
States Dragoons. Captain Cook informed Carson's party that in his rear
was traveling a train of wagons belonging to General Armijo, a wealthy
Mexican.

For the purpose of insuring protection to this richly-freighted
caravan while passing through an Indian country, the Mexican
wagon-master in charge, had hired one hundred men. There were rumors,
currently reported at that time and believed, that a large body of
Texians were waiting on the road to plunder and murder this wagon
party, and thus retaliate the treatment Armijo had been guilty of
in the case of the "famous Muir Prisoners;" but, in order that this
should not happen in Territory belonging to the United States, the
War Department had ordered Captain Cook and