narrations of grievances which they lay freely before him for
his counsel, even in matters exclusively personal. Being familiar with
all those things which will, in the least, touch their feelings and
make them interested, he finds no difficulty in entering into the
spirit of their affairs in a manner that exactly suits their tastes.
This causes them to look upon him in the same light as they would upon
some brave and experienced chief of their own race.

Kit Carson takes every opportunity to warn the Indians against the use
of intoxicating drinks, and shows them by his own example, that "fire
water" is a dangerous luxury which man does not require and in which
he should not indulge. Notwithstanding his best efforts, now and then
they get under its influence. On becoming sober, they are so ashamed
of their conduct that they often keep clear of their agent until
they think he has forgotten the occurrence. Kit Carson, to a certain
extent, treats Indians as a wise father does his own children; hence,
he has won their respect as well as confidence, which fact has given
him more influence over them, than any other man in the country where
he lives. When Kit Carson enters the various villages of the Indians
under his supervision, he is invariably received with the most marked
attention. Having selected the warrior whose guest he intends to be,
he accompanies him to his lodge, which is known during his stay as
the "soldiers' lodge." He gives himself no concern about his horse,
saddle, bridle rifle or any minor thing. The brave whom he has thus
honoured, considers that he has assumed the responsibility of a
"soldier," and so styles himself. This making of a "soldier" is no
every day business with the Indians. It is only when they are visited
by some great personage for whom they have the greatest respect, that
this ceremony is gone through with. When thus favored, the "soldier,"
at once, becomes the sworn friend of the white man who occupies his
lodge, and will fight and die for him even against his own brethren.

It is the opinion of Kit Carson, that Indians should not be allowed
to come, when it pleases them, into the settlements. Every visit which
they thus make is detrimental to them in many ways. He thinks that
the time thus spent could be better employed in hunting or otherwise
providing for the wants of their families. In the towns of the
frontiers they do nothing but beg and learn the vices of the white
man, which, add