ivating, and on it the traveler can be entertained for hours,
until a change in the rays of light or intervening clouds, or else by
approaching the delusion itself, the magic scene fades away. A mirage
and a prairie on fire, seen by night, the one a delusion, the other a
fearful reality, are two of the grandest sights to be seen in the far
West; we might add, on the American continent.

CHAPTER XIII.

Kit Carson at his Home--The Apache Indians become hostile--An
Expedition sent against them--It is not successful--Another
is organized, with which, Kit Carson goes as Guide--Two Indian
Chiefs captured--Other Incidents of the Trip--Colonel Beall
attempts to force the Indians to give up Mexican Captives--Two
thousand Savages on the Arkansas River--The Visit to them--Kit
Carson emigrates and builds a Ranche at Rayado--Description of
the Valley--The Massacre of a Santa Fe Merchant--His Wife is
made Prisoner--The Expedition sent to rescue her--The Indians
overtaken--Bad Counsel and Management--The commanding Officer
wounded--Mrs. White's Body found--Severe Snow Storm on
the Plains--One Man frozen to Death--Kit Carson returns to
Rayado--The occupation of a Farmer resumed--The Apaches steal
from the Settlers nearly all their Animals--Kit Carson with
thirteen others in the Pursuit--The Surprise--A running
Fight--The Animals recovered--A gallant Sergeant and his
Fate--Kit Carson and Goodel go on a Trading Expedition to meet
California Emigrants at Fort Laramie--Humorous Adventures--The
Dangers that beset the Road to New Mexico--Hair-breadth
Escape--Arrival at Taos.

Being comfortably housed in his own pleasant home at Taos, Kit Carson
made up his mind to treat himself to a more lengthy stay there than he
had for some time enjoyed. While he was quietly enjoying the pleasures
of home, active operations were transpiring about him, for the
neighboring Indians had dug up the tomahawk and buried the calumet,
and were holding in defiance the United States forces, which had been
stationed in New Mexico to protect its inhabitants. Colonel Beall was
at that time commanding officer of the district, and had established
his head-quarters at Taos. The colonel, soon after assuming the
command, being a resolute man, saw that there was but one way to deal
with these Indians, and that was to bring them to a strict account,
and make them amenable for their man