lous growth of San
Francisco, he made up his mind to verify these reports with his own
eyes, for he was well acquainted with its ancient aspect.

San Francisco had now had since the year 1848 to grow under the
impulse of the gold fever. Kit Carson remembered it, a Spanish
settlement as it existed in 1845--6--7, then containing not over two
hundred inhabitants. In 1847, the first gold discovery was made at
Sutter's Fort. In two months thereafter, about $250,000 in gold dust
were carried into the town. The next two months $600,000 more. In
February, 1849, the population of the town was two thousand. In the
six months following, it increased to five thousand. In the early
part of the year 1850, the population had increased to nearly twenty
thousand. In 1852, according to the census, it was thirty-four
thousand eight hundred and seventy. The first settlement made at San
Francisco, was commenced in the year 1776. The place was then called
Yerba Buena, or Good Herb, from the fact that an herb of that name,
which was supposed to have great medicinal value, grew in rich
luxuriance over the surrounding country. The houses were at first
built of adobes, or sun dried bricks. It is now one of the most
important cities on the western continent.

As Kit Carson neared this great emporium of California, possessed of
some of the details of its astonishing growth, and remembering it as
it existed when its inhabitants could be easily counted in an hour, he
was perfectly astonished to behold the great changes which a few short
years had produced.

Had it not been for the immovable landmarks about the city and the
familiar scenery of the bay, he would have been entirely at a loss in
considering that this was the spot, called San Francisco, which he had
visited in former years. This metropolis, however, like all others,
presented few attractions to Kit Carson's vision, further than its
objects of curiosity, which were a source of interest and amusement to
him. When he had finished sight seeing he was ready and anxious to
be on his way to New Mexico. Previous to his setting out, he went on
business to Sacramento City. While there, he received a message from
his friend and partner, Maxwell, asking him to wait until the latter
could come in with a herd of sheep from Carson River, when they could
join forces and return home together.

Kit Carson's stay in California was shortened by the annoyance (as
he considered it) of being made a lion.