be greatly at fault. The towns in New Mexico, at this early period,
were almost entirely at the mercy of the Indians. The Mexicans were
nearly destitute of means to defend themselves. Very few of the
Anglo-Saxon race had entered this territory, and those who had
were, in turn, exposed to the vacillating wills of the proverbially
treacherous Mexicans. A man like Kit Carson, however, born and bred in
danger, cared but little about this state of affairs. The dangers did
not enter into his calculations of chance to overcome the difficulties
which beset the pathway which the alluring hopes of his ambition had
marked out. Not long afterward, he left the copper mines, and once
more bent his steps to Taos, in company with a small party. At Taos,
he found a band of trappers which had been sent out by Mr. Ewing
Young. While _en route_ for the river Colorado of the _west_, in
pursuit of game, they had been attacked by a band of Indians. After
fighting an entire day, they had been compelled to retreat, and
returned to New Mexico.




CHAPTER II.

The news of the Defeat of Mr. Young's Trapping Party by the
Indians reaches Taos--Young raises a Party to chastise the
Indians--Kit Carson becomes a Conspicuous Member of the
Expedition--The Indians are found on Salt River--The
Fight--Trapping Exploits--A new Country--Trials and
Vicissitudes--Sacramento Valley--California and its Roman
Catholic Missions in 1829--Another Indian Fight--Sale of
Furs--Indian Depredations--Kit Carson and Twelve Trappers