dian women were taken prisoners by the
red men of the plains from a band of savages not under the immediate
control of Kit Carson, who inhabited a section of New Mexico. These
squaws, while captives, were subjected to the severest labor and the
most brutal punishment which Indian ingenuity could invent. For one
year they submitted without exhibiting any outward symptoms by which
their condition could be known; but, at the end of that time, they
resolved to escape, even if they were killed in the attempt. Watching
a favorable opportunity, they started, and fortunately, so well laid
their plans, that, for some time, they were not missed. On their
prolonged absence being noticed, a party who were well mounted
commenced the pursuit, no doubt believing that, to recapture the
runaways would be an easy task. The squaws however eluded these
horsemen, and, on foot, made their way to Kit Carson's house at Taos.
By him they were hospitably received, entertained and amply provided
for. They had traveled on foot for hundreds of miles, and, while en
route, had lived on roots and such other food as fell in their way. In
their reduced condition, it required kindness, proper diet and rest
to resuscitate them. In the comfortable house to which they had come,
these things were at hand, and were freely given, without hoping for
the rewards which man can give. The pursuers of these unfortunate
Indian women followed on their trail, which, with native instinct, the
squaws had made as indistinct as possible, until they found themselves
at a Mexican settlement, within the boundaries of New Mexico. Here
they were informed that their late captives were safe under the
protection of Kit Carson. This name acted like magic in settling their
future mode of proceedings. They needed nothing more to bid them face
about and retrace their steps to their own homes. The squaws, in the
household of Kit Carson, rapidly recruited, and when the time came for
them to be sent to their own tribe, they went away rejoicing at their
good fortune; first in making their escape, and second, because they
had been so humanely treated by a man whose name they had often heard,
but never before seen. As we have said before and with truth, this is
but one example out of thousands which have passed by unheralded since
Kit Carson first commenced his official career as Indian agent.

The duties of an agent are not by Kit Carson confined to the mere
letter of the law. His is a hea