his traits were kindness and
good qualities of heart, determined perseverance, indomitable will,
unflinching courage, great quickness and shrewdness of perception, and
promptitude in execution. The predictions uttered by the hardy rangers
of the forest concerning a boy like Carson are seldom at fault; and
Kit was one who, by many a youthful feat worthy the muscle of riper
years, had endeared himself to their honest love. It was among such
men and for such reason, that Kit Carson thus early in life had won
the influence and rewards of a general favorite.

His frame was slight, below the medium stature, closely knit together,
and endowed with extraordinary elasticity. He had, even then, stood
the test of much hard usage. What the body lacked in strength was more
than compensated for by his indomitable will; consequently, at this
early age, he was considered capable of performing a frontier man's
work, both in tilling the soil and handling the rifle.

It was at this period of his eventful life that his father, acting
partially under the advice of friends, determined that his son Kit
should learn a trade. A few miles from Kit's forest home, there lived
a Mr. David Workman, a saddler. To him he was apprenticed. With Mr.
Workman young Carson remained two years, enjoying both the confidence
and respect of his employer; but, mourning over the awl, the hide
of new leather, the buckle and strap; for, the glorious shade of the
mighty forest; the wild battle with buffalo and bear; the crack of
the unerring rifle, pointed at the trembling deer. Saddlery is an
honorable employment; but saddlery never made a greater mistake than
when it strove to hitch to its traces the bold impulse, the wild
yearning, the sinewy muscle of Kit Carson. Harness-making was so
irksome to his ardent temperament and brave heart, that he resolved to
take advantage of the first favorable opportunity and quit it forever.
With him, to resolve has ever been followed by action. During the
latter part of his stay with Mr. Workman, many stories of adventures
in the Rocky Mountains reached the ear of the youthful Kentuckian in
his Missouri home. The almost miraculous _hyperbole_ which flavored
the narratives were not long in awakening in his breast a strong
desire to share in such stirring events. The venturesome mind at last
became inspired. He determined to go; and, giving his restless spirit
full sway, in 1826, joined a party bound for his boyish fancy-pictures