!"

"I say! are you the famous Kit Carson, who knows this country so
well?"

"Are you really a good pilot, or are you lost?"

These and similar expressions saluted Kit's ear--a language to which
he had not been heretofore accustomed--as some impediment, such as a
fallen tree, a rock, a swamp, or a creek staid, for a brief period,
his progress, thus allowing the party to approach within speaking
distance. The remarks might have temporarily chafed his spirit; but,
he had too much good sense to allow his friends to see that they had
gained any advantage over him. He rode boldly on, and answered their
raillery with silence. He knew, however, very well, that his turn
would come; and, when he had brought them in safety to a spot with
which all were familiar, he turned the tables on them by retorting
to their questions in a playful manner, which made their future
interpretation of his occasional doubts, less sweeping in its
conclusions.

Kit succeeded in guiding the party safely to the Copper Mines, from
whence their route was plain. From the Copper Mines the party traveled
through to the Rio del Norte. This river is 1,800 miles in length and
forms the boundary line between Texas and Mexico. It takes its rise
in the Rocky Mountains and empties into the Gulf of Mexico. It is
navigable for small steamers, sloops and schooners, for a distance of
about four hundred and fifty miles from its mouth. About nine hundred
miles from its mouth, there is a spot where the river is only about
three or four feet deep. Here the Apache and Camanche Indians always
cross when on their depredatory tramps into Mexico.

Leaving the Rio Grande or del Norte, the party pursued their homeward
route through the settlements of the Rio Abajo and Santa Fe and
finally reached Taos on the twenty-third day of December, 1853.

Soon after the party entered the Territory of New Mexico, Kit Carson
accidentally met the Mormon delegate to Congress. That person informed
Kit Carson that the appointment of an Indian Agent had been conferred
upon him.

On learning this piece of intelligence, Kit was much elated. He
felt that the office was perfectly suited to his tastes, and he was
honestly impressed with the belief that he was capable of performing
the duties of this office, and of accomplishing much good. His
happiness and pride were heightened by thinking that, finally, his
services had met the approbation of his government, the substantial
proof of which,