and fought
with great dexterity. Their animals being comparatively fresh, in
this respect they had the advantage. Notwithstanding this fact, the
pursuing party administered to them a severe lesson. Five of the
rascally Indians were killed and several wounded, while all of
the stolen animals, with the exception of four, were overtaken and
recaptured. The whole of this pursuit and the running fight which
terminated so successfully was accomplished under the advice of Kit
Carson. Each man in the pursuing party felt that the simple fact that
Kit Carson's eagle eye and experienced hand watched and guided their
movements was a guaranty of certain and ample success. Hence, the
labor of the long chase and the demands upon their personal skill,
activity and courage made by the necessities of the fight, were all
met with that kind of readiness and determination which seldom fails
to make the soldier invincible. Every man in that party knew well
that an Indian chase with Kit Carson for a leader, meant fight and win
success or die.

In referring to this adventure Kit Carson, when speaking of the
gallant men who accompanied him, said, "They all proved themselves to
be men of the very best material."

Unfortunately, two of this gallant party have since fallen by the
hands of these same Apache warriors. One of these was Sergeant
Holbrook, a brave man, a skillful soldier and a noble friend. He was
one who adorned his profession of arms and who was an honor to the
country whose uniform he wore. He was killed at the well known battle
of Ceneguilla while bravely fighting against overwhelming odds. This
battle was fought in New Mexico in the year 1854. In it, a company
of United States dragoons were worsted and cut to pieces by a greatly
superior force of these Indians who succeeded in drawing them into an
ambuscade.

The other person referred to as having been since killed by this tribe
of Apaches was a brave and experienced trapper, well known throughout
the range of Indian depredations as a fearless and dangerous
adversary. His name was William New. He was literally murdered at
Rayado by these Apaches. This occurred only a few months after he had
formed one of the party to pursue and recover the animals stolen from
their ranche. When he was attacked, New was engaged tilling the soil
on his own farm. The rascally Indians surrounded him before he became
aware of their presence. Having an empty rifle with him, he succeeded,
for some