vicinity of country, his answer was, that he had seen them of such
a magnitude that one would be a load for a man, and that when strung
across the hunter's shoulder, one part was sure to be dragging on the
ground. He then boasted that he had killed a grasshopper that, with
his head cut off, weighed _six ounces_. Notwithstanding his love of
talk, this old man had once been a brave and famous hunter; but no
confidence could be placed in him, owing to his habituated want of
regard for truth and honor; hence, he has long since been excluded
from the companionship of the mountaineers. The English gentleman
above spoken of was an experienced traveler, and therefore undoubtedly
knew how to weigh the truth of his astonishing information.

CHAPTER XIV.

Kit Carson reaches Home--Himself and Neighbors robbed by the
Apaches--Major Grier goes in Pursuit of, and recaptures the
stolen Stock--A Plot organized by White Men to murder two
Santa Fe Traders for their Money--The Disclosure--Kit Carson
goes to the Rescue of the Traders--The Camp of United States
Recruits--Captain Ewell with twenty Men joins Kit Carson and
they two make the Arrest of Fox--Gratitude expressed by the
Traders--Money offered but refused--The Prisoner taken to Taos
and incarcerated--Kit Carson receives a magnificent Pair of
Revolvers as a Present from the grateful Traders--The return
to Rayado--A Trading Expedition to the United States--The
return Journey--An Encounter with the Cheyenne Indians--A
State of Suspense--The Deliverance from Danger by a Message
sent by a Mexican Runner--The arrival at Rayado.

After finishing the pleasant visit which he was thus enabled to make,
while recruiting himself among the good people of Taos, Kit Carson
bent his way to his home at Rayado. He safely reached there and had
but just dismounted at his own door, when he was informed of a recent
calamity that had befallen himself and neighbors during his absence.
It was the old story, viz. that the Indians had come in and boldly
stole all the animals belonging to the settlement--At the time this
depredation had been committed, there was a small detachment of United
States troops stationed in the place, but the soldiers were too few
in number to attempt a rescue of the property from the savages.
The latter had visited the little town with a strong force on this
occasion; the settlers, therefore, made application to the c