there that he was bound on
another Exploring Expedition. Having finished up his business with
the Mexicans, Kit thought he would like to see his old commander once
again. Accordingly, he started on his trail: and, after seventy
miles of travel, came up with him. The meeting proved to be mutually
agreeable. Although Kit Carson had made this visit solely from his
desire to see again his old commander and not with a view of joining
his second expedition, Col. Fremont insisted so strongly upon having
Kit accompany him that he acquiesced in doing so.

For Col. Fremont, Kit Carson has the greatest admiration. He knows, as
well as any man living, his bravery, his talents and the many splendid
qualities of his mind and heart. The question will naturally arise,
does Kit Carson indorse the political creed upon which Col. Fremont
accepted the nomination for the Presidency of the United States? The
best answer and the one which is true, will be: Kit Carson considers
it one of the highest honors and greatest blessings to be a citizen of
the United States. He is willing to incur any danger for his country's
good, even if the sacrifice of his life is the alternative. He has
spent all his life in the wilds of America where news is always as
scarce an article as luxuries of the table and fire-side, and, where
the political strifes of factions and parties are not known. The
inference will therefore be plainly apparent, that his curiosity
does not lead him to examine very attentively the minute workings of
political machinery. He is not a man to be swayed by friendship from
performing any act which the interests of his country seem to require
at his hands. His political bias will, therefore, remain a matter of
conjecture until such time, if his life is spared to see it, when New
Mexico shall be admitted into the Union as a State. So far, he has
never lived where he could exercise the right of franchise. The time
must come which shall entitle him to a Presidential vote before he
decides what political party shall count him as its supporter.

Soon after Kit Carson was again enrolled under the command of Col.
Fremont, he received orders to return to Bent's Fort and purchase some
mules of which the party stood in need. Mules are valuable animals
in new and mountainous countries. They are often the only beasts of
burden which can be successfully used in crossing the wild mountains.
Being more sure footed and more able to endure great fatigue