rue state of the case
before him, who, he naturally enough thought, could, above all others
in that territory, devise some plan that would result in rescuing
Brevoort and Weatherhead from their impending fate. Here it may be
proper for us to add that the officer who had thus indiscreetly acted,
must have had previously a very slight acquaintance with Kit Carson,
or he would not have selected him as a man ready and anxious for any
dirty job which might offer, as it is entirely foreign to his
true character. Kit Carson, on being apprised of the facts, became
interested, and took the management of the affair, for the most part,
into his own hands; and, on investigating it more thoroughly, he came
to the conclusion that Fox and his companions contemplated committing
the crime on the Cimaron River.

This river is nearly east from Taos; and the point at which Carson
anticipated overhauling the party was between two and three hundred
miles distant. At this time, the Mountain Indians were unusually
hostile; but Kit Carson was always well informed of their
movements--as much so as it was in the power of any one to be. With
the little command under him he was willing, where so weighty a matter
as saving the lives of two of his countrymen demanded his services,
to march anywhere--even if he had to contest his way. One hour was
sufficient time for him to make ready for the undertaking, but not
so with the soldiers. They had to put their horses and themselves in
trim, for it might be severe and taxing duty. The route taken by the
party was a trail, which leads direct to Rayado, and on which, just
before reaching the last-named place, there are many curious piles
of stones, which are scattered over the side of a mountain, and have
formed a puzzle to many an inquiring mind. By some they are supposed
to be Indian graves; but, by others, they are thought to have been
made as a sort of landmark by the older inhabitants of the plains,
when they started into New Mexico on some marauding incursion. These
latter persons believe that the Indians were unacquainted with the
country they were invading, and had left these marks to assist them in
making their way out again. Most likely the first hypothesis is true,
and that the stones were thus heaped up to protect the corpses from
being devoured by the wolves. On quitting Rayado Kit Carson struck out
on the open prairies.

By making an expeditious march, Kit Carson felt that the traders could