ly handled; but he did not see a visage of
an Apache. They had, by that time, traveled to the west side of the
Rio del Norte. Indeed, he anticipated no danger to himself, as he was
well aware, that the safest time to travel through any section of an
Indian country, is just after the savages have been guilty of some
highhanded act. They are then, instinctively, as some may say, but, as
the fact appears to us, by use of their reasoning powers, well aware
that active measures will be set on foot to repay them for their
rascality.

The trail which, on this occasion, Kit Carson traveled over in coming
from Santa Fe, is one of the most interesting routes, in safe times,
that the mere traveler can select. It comprises some of the most
beautiful scenery in New Mexico. The length of the trail is about
seventy-five miles, and so many windings and turns does it make
through mountains, forests and gorges, that every hundred yards
furnishes a suitable place for an Indian ambuscade. The largest part
of the country which lies between Taos and Santa Fe, is mountainous;
therefore, this trail is one series of ascents and descents. The
greatest pitch is near the scene of the fight in which Lieutenant
Davidson and his command were engaged, where the path, in order to
avoid an almost perpendicular declivity, makes a zig zag course. To
accomplish the ascent of this mountain on a good riding animal, it
takes, at least, two hours; therefore, the height of the mountain
can be easily imagined by those accustomed to mountain climbing. On
reaching some of these immense eminences, the scenery is principally
formed by the broken country, studded here and there with mountains,
which appear as if in miniature, as well as real. Between are valleys,
rivers, creeks, canons, etc., which render the views truly grand.
There is sufficient woodland, plenty of pure air, and different
species of game, in great abundance, playing about, and filling up the
picture with life. To use the words of romance, this does not fail to
make the scenery perfect. The trail runs through hamlets and villages,
which come in at the proper distances and form great auxiliaries to
the traveler, when fatigued by horseback riding; for, at most of these
places, the traveler can find rest for the night, always provided that
he be willing to submit to a multitude of inconveniences.

The most desirable place at which to stop, on this trail, is a town
nearly midway between Taos and Santa