ng the airs of a drunken man after two or
three mouthfuls of "_aqua-diente_." The spirit of the ball is carried
on well into the short hours of night, when all parties depart for
their homes. Intoxication, that curse to all men, is playing havoc
with this innocent amusement of the people, and causing these scenes
to terminate in riot, and often bloodshed, especially when the
jealousy of the white blood is raised at some imagined insult; and
then, as is always the case, the two races come in fierce contact. It
is hoped that by the aid of schools and education these things may
be ameliorated, but they cannot be cured. The mischief is too deeply
rooted.

[Footnote 18: The game most frequently played is _monte_.]

We have thus endeavored to give the reader a view of the people among
whom Kit Carson had determined to become a farmer. But he was not
destined to finish and perfect his plans.

Near the conclusion of the second exploring expedition, and at the
time when Kit Carson took his departure from the party, Col. Fremont
had received a promise from him to the effect that he would join,
as guide, any party of discovery, for the further exploration of the
Rocky Mountains, which he, Col. Fremont, should command.

During the active duties of a farmer's life, and just as Kit Carson
had brought his new enterprise into working order, an expressman from
Col. Fremont arrived at his ranche, bearing dispatches to Carson. The
purport of these dispatches was to remind Kit Carson of his promise,
to inform him of the organization of a third expedition, and to
appoint a place where Kit Carson might find his old commander.

The express found Carson in the midst of so many cares and anxieties
concerning his new project, that it became a very difficult matter for
him to keep his word. But the sacrifice of pecuniary interest was but
a slight consideration with Kit, when weighed in the balance against
his promise. He knew that his promise had not been either lightly
given or received. Col. Fremont, by it, had the first right to his
time and energies, and had formed his expectations accordingly; and
Kit lost, therefore, no time in making preparations to satisfy these
expectations by reporting himself at the appointed place of meeting,
ready for the march.

But to effect this was attended with no slight difficulties. Kit
Carson had a large sum invested in his improvements, by way of
payments for labor, as well as purchases of stock, prov