the
burden of their education in history; and, on performing the feat of
courage or strength which admits them to the councils of the braves,
their nation's wrongs are uppermost in their thoughts, causing them to
thirst for a revenge which sooner or later gives them a grave, making
themselves, in turn, an object of revenge.

It has already appeared that when Kit Carson entered upon his first
expedition, game was to be had in abundance. His route lay across the
western wilds to Santa Fe. All this distance the bulk of provisions,
consisting of a small quantity of flour and bacon, had to be
transported by himself and his companions. These articles were kept
as a reserve, and were looked upon as luxuries; for, that man was
estimated to be a very poor shot who could not obtain, with his rifle,
all the animal food he required for his individual sustenance. These
hunters, however, well understood the laws which govern and the
advantages which follow division of labor. Everything was so arranged,
both for this and subsequent expeditions, by which a regular hunter
was appointed, and each man assigned some particular duty according
to his capacity. These appointments were usually made by the leader
of the party, whose supervision was acknowledged by general consent on
account of his known experience and capability. This plan was the more
necessary in order to avoid confusion.

The caravan had hardly launched out on its long and tedious tramp,
when an accident occurred which came very near proving serious in its
results. For several days the men had been greatly annoyed by wolves
who appeared more than usually ravenous and bold.[2]

[Footnote 2: There are two species of these animals found on the
western prairie. One is small, called the Jackal; the other much
larger. The latter, or larger species, are found of various, colors,
but more frequently grey. The color, however, varies with the season
and often from other causes. Many of their habits are strikingly
similar to those of the domestic dog, with the simple difference
that the wolf is unreclaimed from his wild state. The connecting link
between the prairie wolf and the domestic dog is the cur found among
the Indians. The Indian cur, by a casual observer, could be easily
mistaken for a prairie wolf. Near the Rocky Mountains, and in them,
these animals are found of immense size; but, being cowardly, they are
not dangerous. The first night a person sleeps on a prairie is eve