youth, sometimes amounted to rashness, were the component parts of his ability which thus caused his companions to follow his leadership.  His courage, promptitude, willingness, self-reliance, caution, sympathy, and care for the wounded, marked him at once as the master-mind and safest counsellor.  His first trapping expedition gained him so much credit, that from the time it was concluded, he found no difficulty in joining any band of trappers, no matter how select the party.  In this respect the mountaineers resemble sea-faring men, who invariably dislike new and untried hands, because such are so apt to give more trouble than assistance.  Green hands, therefore, are treated with indifference when they apply to be admitted as members on a contemplated hunt.  The reader will here see one difficulty which had to be overcome by Carson, and which kept him so long in want of employment.  From this time Kit carried a rifle and worked from an experience which commanded admiration, respect, and esteem wherever he went, and with whatever party he became connected.  Like the great Napoleon, when he joined the army for his first campaign, he was a hero in spite of his youth among men grown grey with experience.

CHAPTER III.

The Return from California to New Mexico—­San Fernando and the Peublo of Los Angelos—­Description of these Peublos—­Passports demanded at Los Angelos—­Trouble with the Mexican Authorities—­Kit Carson sent on with the Pack Animals One Trapper shoots another—­The Mexicans become frightened—­Indians come into Camp with their Weapons concealed—­Cool Reception by Kit Carson—­Arrival at Santa Fe and Taos—­Money realized soon parted with—­Carson joins another Expedition—­The Rivers trapped on—­Four Men Killed by Blackfeet Indians—­Kit Carson joins Gaunt’s Party—­The Parks—­Winter Quarters—­Crow Indian Depredations—­Kit Carson and his Party in Pursuit—­the Fight—­Winter on the Arkansas—­Another Expedition—­Two Deserters—­Kit Carson sent in Pursuit—­The Fate of the Runaways—­Adventures with Indians—­Hair-breadth Escape made by Kit Carson.

In September, Mr. Young, having accomplished all that he had intended, informed his men that he was going to New Mexico.  The homeward route was through most of the country over which they had previously traveled.  The preparations for the journey having been completed, the party started, touching on the way at the Mission of San Fernando, and thence through to the Peublo of Los Angelos.  Scattered over various parts of the dominion of Old Mexico are these Peublos, or Indian villages, called so because they are inhabited by Indians who bear that name.  These are the true descendants of the ancient Aztecs, who were once the subjects of the Montezumas.  They are usually a quiet and industrious race, and are most devout in their religious worship, according to the principles, forms, and ceremonies of the Roman Catholic Church.