of the entire stock. With the money accruing
from the sale, he purchased horses and then rejoined his company.

A circumstance occurred a few days after Mr. Young's return, which
proved to be a good warning to the party for their future vigilance.
During one dark night, some Indians, eluding the watch of the
sentinels, succeeded in entering the camp and moving off sixty horses.
As soon as the robbery was discovered, which had been the more easily
accomplished because the trappers, not apprehending danger, had
allowed the animals to take care of themselves, Mr. Young directed
Kit Carson to take twelve men with the remaining horses, fourteen in
number, and pursue the thieves. Carson, in obedience to his orders,
immediately started for the Sierra Nevada Mountains, following the
trail of the Indians. After travelling one hundred miles he came up
with the robbers, and discovered them in the act of feasting upon
horse-flesh, six of their own animals having been killed to supply the
viands. Doubtless stolen fruit made the feast all the sweeter to the
savages, but Kit determined to mingle a little of the bitter as a
condiment to the roasted flesh. Gathering his men well together, and
approaching very close to the foe without being discovered, he gave
the order to charge. His men needed no second command. They fell upon
the feasting savages like a thunderbolt, scattering them right and
left without mercy. Eight of the warriors were killed in the short
conflict which ensued. The remainder were allowed to escape. With some
difficulty they next succeeded in recovering all their horses, except
the six which had been killed. With their horses, and three children
taken prisoners, they returned to camp. It is unnecessary to add that,
to men thus isolated in the wilderness, Kit and his party were hailed
with joyful greetings when their complete success became known. To
them their horses were like the good ship to the hardy sailors on the
mighty ocean. The joyful reaction which followed such complete success
was in ratio to the fears which the continuing suspense had excited.

Kit Carson, though at that day a youth in years and experience when
compared with the other members of the party of which he was then an
associate, had risen rapidly in the estimation of all, and had excited
the admiration and enlisted in his behalf the confidence of the entire
band. When called upon to add his counsel and advice to the general
fund of knowledge o