Fremont and his command remained at Sutter's Fort about a month,
when their preparations were completed for their return to the
States. They journeyed leisurely up the valley of the San Joaquin,
crossing over the Sierra Nevada and Coast Range by means of an
easily travelled pass. The latter chain was followed until they
came upon the Spanish trail, along which they passed to the Mohave
River. Where the Trail diverges from that stream, Carson became
involved in a characteristic adventure.

While in camp two Mexicans, a man and a boy, rode up and told
a sad story. They belonged to a party of Mexican traders from New
Mexico. Six of them, including two women who acted as cooks, were
left in charge of a band of horses while the rest were away, engaged
in barter. When endeavoring to find better grazing for their animals
and while the man and boy were on guard, they were attacked by
a band of thirty Indians. The warriors were after the horses and
their first demonstration was a flight of arrows. The only chance
of escape was to make off with the animals and the two started
them on a dead run straight toward the Indians. The charge was so
impetuous, that they forced their way through, and continued their
flight, while the warriors remained behind to massacre the others.

When the couple had gone a long distance, they left the horses and
turned back to look for their friends. While they were doing so,
they came upon Fremont's camp. When it is added that among those
who were left behind by the Mexicans, were the wife of the man
and the father and mother of the boy, their pitiful situation must
touch the hearts of all. They were overcome with grief, and Carson
was so stirred that he volunteered to go back with the couple and