matters. On reaching Taos, Kit Carson sent
an expressman to the Utah village with the request that their chiefs
would come and have a talk with him. They obeyed his summons, and when
they were seated in Council with their "Father Kit," he explained to
them how that the soldiers had taken prisoner their _brave_ through
mistake and ignorance. He informed them, that his countrymen did not
wish to do their tribe any injury, and he trusted that they would
overlook the affair; advising them that the best way to show to the
white men that their intentions were honest would be by not rendering
aid to the Apaches. He said that he had not sent for them through
fear, as their warriors were but a handful when compared to the
soldiers of their "Great Father;" but the main object, always to be
held in view in their deliberations, was to cultivate friendship, as
the country was large enough for both parties to live in. The Indians
replied that they were satisfied with the explanation made to them,
and declared that their hearts were not in the least inimical towards
the whites. On hearing this, Kit Carson restored to them the captured
property, and also made to the chiefs themselves a few useful
presents.

Col. Cook, after granting a sufficient rest to his men, and after
obtaining supplies at Abiquiu, started out again to hunt the
Jiccarillas. He was so fortunate soon after as to find a fresh trail,
and in hot haste followed it for several days, when, unfortunately, he
was caught in a furious snow-storm which obliterated the tracks of the
Indians, besides otherwise greatly damaging his resources. The fair
prospects of a successful termination to the expedition being so
suddenly frustrated, the commander had no other alternative open to
him but to return. This he did by going to the Rito Colorado, a small
town that lay on his route. Here the command was joined by Major
Brooks of the 3d Regiment of U.S. Infantry, who had marched to the
relief of Col. Cook with reinforcements. As soon as the necessary
preparations were gone through with, another scout was undertaken
under charge of this last-named officer, while Col. Cook and his men
retired from their active service.

Major Brooks, without much difficulty, struck upon a recent path made
by the enemy, and on it, gave them chase. The Indians were making
their way to the Utah country, and on arriving there, the plans of
the major were completely balked, owing to the great numbers of fre