ed to their own, make them as dangerous and wicked as
men can be. In lieu thereof, he advises that mission and agency
houses should be established in their midst, when supplies should
be furnished to them in a time of need. As matters stand now, the
Indians, during a severe winter, or from some unforeseen accident, are
liable to become suddenly destitute. They are then compelled either
to starve or to make inroads upon the property of the settlers on the
frontiers. Besides his Indian friends, Kit Carson is surrounded by
a host of Mexicans and Americans, to whom he has greatly endeared
himself. To his children Kit Carson is a kind and indulgent father,
and to best illustrate his self-sacrificing attachment for them, it
is only necessary to relate one striking incident of its proof. A few
years since, he was returning to Taos from Rayado, whither he had been
on a visit in company with his wife, two children, and two servants
(a Mexican man and woman). The party had completed the first half of
their journey, and were jogging along over a tract of prairie land
that was of considerable extent, when suddenly, Kit Carson discovered,
far off, a band of about forty Indians. Being so exposed, he at once
concluded that he also had been seen, for while he was looking, he
thought he could see the speed of their riding animals increase. The
glaring rays of the sun impeded his view, so that he could not discern
at such a distance, either from their dress or appearance, to
what tribe they belonged. He was in a section of country that was
frequently visited by the marauding Camanches, and, as their signs had
been recently seen in the neighborhood, he made up his mind that it
was a band of this tribe that he now saw. No time was to be lost; so,
dismounting from the very fleet horse he was riding, he placed in
his saddle his wife and eldest child. To the first named he gave
directions "to follow on the trail that led to Taos, and let the
bridle reins be a little slack, so that the horse would know what was
expected of him, when he would travel at the top of his speed. He said
that he intended to ride towards the Indians and engage them at first
in a parley, and then if necessary offer them a single-handed combat.
At any rate, before they could manage to kill him, she would have
sufficient time to lessen her danger. As to the remainder of the party
he added, there was no alternative but for them to take their chances
for life or death." Bid