r, was too good a
soldier to exhibit the conduct which the little buzzing talkers so
anxiously looked for from their supposed kindling of his jealousy,
and quietly took the post assigned him, eager to lend a helping hand,
which might even thus be instrumental in saving a valuable life. It
is proper, however, that we should add, that this slight upon his
reputation and experience wounded his feelings. But, especially, as
the life in jeopardy belonged to a woman, he would not, and did not,
think of allowing his actions to partake of his feelings. We have
reason to believe that this slight, at least on the part of the
commanding officer of the expedition, was not intentional. That
gentleman was an honorable man, and would not have committed an act
which he considered would have resulted otherwise than for the best;
and, in appointing Leroux his chief counsellor, he had selected a good
man, but, one whom he afterwards learned, to his sorrow, was every way
the subordinate of Kit Carson in managing Indian affairs.

A few years subsequent to the transpiring of this murder and the
skirmish which succeeded it, we traveled near to the spot under the
same officer who had the command of the above expedition. He reverted
to the affair with much feeling, and from his actions and remarks, we
could plainly see that his sympathies had been, perhaps, too greatly
enlisted in behalf of his unfortunate countrywoman, and that his
better judgment had been overcome by giving way to the urgent advice
of others. If it had been a battle where either scientific attainments
or manly courage could have succeeded, he would, doubtless, have been
himself, and carried everything through with success. This is no mere
assertion, for his long and well tried military career warrants us
in this belief. We have the greatest respect for this gentleman, and
consider him a very able man; but, as a biographer, we are called
upon to narrate the facts as they come to us. If he had succeeded,
everything would have been considered as well done; but he failed, and
the cause of his failure is plain.

The party being thus constituted, and no delay having been occasioned
by any unforeseen accident, the party arrived in good season at the
place where the cold-blooded murder had been consummated. Around the
spot, there was strewn, in great confusion, boxes, trunks, pieces of
harness, and many other things, which had belonged to the unfortunate
party, and which the villai