and Alps compared--Other Trapping Expeditions--Beaver becoming
scarce--Prices of Fur reduced--Kit Carson and the Trappers give
up their Vocation--The Journey to Bent's Fort--Mitchell the
Mountaineer--His Eccentricities, 127


CHAPTER VII.

Kit Carson is employed as Hunter to Bent's Fort--His Career for
Eight Years--Messrs. Bent and St. Vrain--The commencement of his
Acquaintance with John C. Fremont on a Steamboat--Is employed as
a Guide by the Great Explorer--The Journey--Arrival at Fort
Laramie--Indian Difficulties--The business of the Expedition
completed--Return to Fort Laramie--Kit Carson goes to Taos and is
married--He is employed as Hunter to a Train of Wagons bound for the
States--Meeting with Captain Cook and four companies of U.S. Dragoons
on Walnut Creek--Mexicans in Trouble--Kit Carson carries a Letter
for them to Santa Fé--Indians on the Route--His safe Arrival--Amijos'
advance Guard massacred by the Texians--The one Survivor--The
Retreat--Kit Carson returns to Bent's Fort--His Adventures with the
Utahs and narrow escape from Death--The Texians disarmed--The Express
Ride performed, 147


CHAPTER VIII.

Kit Carson visits Fremont's Camp--Goes on the Second
Exploring Expedition--The Necessary Arrangements--Trip to Salt
Lake--Explorations there--Carson is dispatched to Fort Hall for
Supplies--Their Operations at Salt Lake--The Great Island--The Journey