Fremont had no animals remaining in condition to give chase, and
therefore had quietly to submit to his loss. He now resolved to give
up for the time being his search for Talbot's party and return to
Sutter's Fort, where he could reorganize. While on their road to the
Fort, the men came suddenly upon a band of the same Indians who had
recently annoyed them. These fellows seemed to invite an engagement,
and were gratified by Col. Fremont. In the skirmish that ensued, they
lost five warriors killed. The rest fled. The party, after undergoing
many hardships, finally reached their point of destination. During the
latter part of this tramp, game had become so scarce that the men had
to shoot whatever came in their way. This time it chanced to be wild
horses. When they arrived at the Fort they were on foot, their saddle
and pack animals having all given out and broken down. By the kind
assistance of Mr. Sutter, they were furnished anew. After recruiting a
little their own worn-out bodies, they started on their second trip in
quest of their companions. They traversed the coast range and went to
San Jose to see if they could hear anything through the Mexicans and
Indians who resided there, concerning the whereabouts of the missing
men; as perchance, some of the hunters or traders among these people
might, in their travels, have met or heard something of them. On
making inquiries at San Jose, they were informed that the party was
encamped at a well known place on the San Joaquin. This piece of
intelligence immediately decided Fremont to dispatch Carson and two
companions to that section of country, while he and the remainder of
the men would remain where they were and await his return. Kit Carson
performed his mission with his usual promptness and soon returned with
his charge, when the expedition was once more united under one leader.
Owing to the great trials and privations recently met with, and the
inability to procure at Sutter's Fort all that was wanted in the
matter of an outfit, therefore it was determined upon that the party
should proceed next to Monterey, where they knew they could purchase
the articles that were actually required. While en route, and when
within thirty miles of this last-named town, an impertinent order was
received from Gen. Castro, the Mexican commander of the territory. The
purport of this order was, that Fremont and his party must immediately
vacate the country without further notice, or else th