fail to make and leave a mark upon the hearts of his countrymen. Those
who knew him at the age of fifteen, hesitated not to say, "Kit Carson
is the boy who will grow into a man of influence and renown."

The chief points of his character which elicited this prediction were
thus early clearly marked. Some of his traits were kindness and
good qualities of heart, determined perseverance, indomitable will,
unflinching courage, great quickness and shrewdness of perception, and
promptitude in execution. The predictions uttered by the hardy rangers
of the forest concerning a boy like Carson are seldom at fault; and
Kit was one who, by many a youthful feat worthy the muscle of riper
years, had endeared himself to their honest love. It was among such
men and for such reason, that Kit Carson thus early in life had won
the influence and rewards of a general favorite.

His frame was slight, below the medium stature, closely knit together,
and endowed with extraordinary elasticity. He had, even then, stood
the test of much hard usage. What the body lacked in strength was more
than compensated for by his indomitable will; consequently, at this
early age, he was considered capable of performing a frontier man's
work, both in tilling the soil and handling the rifle.

It was at this period of his eventful life that his father, acting
partially under the advice of friends, determined that his son Kit
should learn a trade. A few miles from Kit's forest home, there lived
a Mr. David Workman, a saddler. To him he was apprenticed. With Mr.
Workman young Carson remained two years, enjoying both the confidence
and respect of his employer; but, mourning over the awl, the hide
of new leather, the buckle and strap; for, the glorious shade of the
mighty forest; the wild battle with buffalo and bear; the crack of