The Life of Kit Carson: Hunter, Trapper, Guide, Indian Agent and Colonel U.S.A.
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CHAPTER XXVI.
Arrival at Bent's Fort--Carson goes to Taos and Decides to Become a Farmer--Arrival of a Messenger from Fremont--Carson and Owens Repair Again to Bent's Fort--Carson Engages as Guide for Fremont's Third Exploring Expedition--On the Great Divide--Division of the Parties--The Journey Across the Desert--A Singular Meeting--Aboriginal Horse Thieves.
After a tedious journey of many miles, the exploring party reachedBent's Fort July 2, 1844. The labors were considered finished, andbidding his old commander goodbye, Carson made his way to Taos, where hehad a most happy reunion with his family. He was cordially welcomed byhundreds of old friends who had learned years before the rare courageand worth of the man, and who were proud to possess such a neighbor.
Carson had led a wild and adventurous career, and, after talking muchwith those in whom he had confidence, he decided to adopt the life ofa farmer. In this conclusion he was joined by Richard Owens, an oldmountaineer and an intimate associate for many years.
It did not take them long to fix upon a desirable site, and, in thespring of 1845, stock and animals were bought, building commencedand everything was fairly under way. At the moment when the scarredmountaineers were counting with pleasure on the complete arrangementsmade, an express messenger galloped up and handed Carson a letter.
The contents were of an important character. Captain Fremont had writtento notify Kit that he had started on his third exploring expedition,and, inasmuch as the mountaineer had given his promise months before,that in the event of doing so, he (Carson) would serve again as guide,Fremont reminded him that he should hold him to his pledge and wouldexpect to meet him at Bent's Fort on his arrival there.
It was a considerable pecuniary sacrifice for Carson to keep hispromise, but he never failed to do so, when it was not absolutelyimpossible. Besides, it is fair to presume that the old life could neverlose its charm for one of his disposition, and, contrasted with thehumdrum existence of a farmer, he could not have been much grieved overthe reception of the message. But it must be stated that both Owens andCarson sold out at much loss, and, putting their affairs in the bestshape possible, bade families and friends goodbye, mounted their horsesand set out for Bent's Fort which was safely reached some days later.
There they were warmly welcomed by Fremont, who had entered upon histhird exploring expedition, the last under the authority of the UnitedStates government, though two others were afterwards undertaken on hisown responsibility. As was to be supposed, Fremont taking lessons fromhis previous experiences, was much better equipped for his third thanfor either of the other preceding expeditions. He had about fifty men,among them in addition to Carson and Owens, being Maxwell, the famousmountaineer, Walker who was a member of Captain Bonneville's expeditionto the Columbia, besides other hunters and scouts less known but notless skilful and daring than they.
We have already given tolerably full accounts of the two exploringexpeditions of Fremont, and it is not our purpose to narrate theparticulars of the one which followed. There is a sameness in many ofthe occurrences but the third time the Pathfinder penetrated into therecesses of the far west, he became involved in a series of experiencestotally different from the preceding and deeply interesting ofthemselves.
Several months were spent on what may be called the Great Divide--thatis the region where the waters flow east or west to either ocean, andin the autumn of the year they encamped on the southwestern shore of theGreat Salt Lake.
Before them stretched a vast arid plain to which the trappers referredwith a shudder of terror. They had heard of it many a time and thecommon legend was that no man white or Indian who had ever attempted tocross it, succeeded. These stories, however, added to the eagerness ofCaptain Fremont to explore its secrets, and, when he proposed it tohis men, they expressed as strong a desire as he to do so. They felt amutual trust and confidence impossible under other circumstances.
Some seventy miles away, a mountain peak held out the promise of woodand water. Four men under the guidance of an Indian, were sent forwardto explore the place, and, in the event of finding water, they wereinstructed to apprise the watchful commander by means of the smoke froma camp fire.
When the second day closed without sight of the signal, Fremont becameso uneasy that he moved forward with the rest of the party and travelledall night. At daylight, one of the smaller party approached them. Hesaid that running water and grass existed at the mountains, but theirIndian guide was wholly ignorant of the country. This was good news andthe next day the party reached the stream.
Shortly after, the expedition was divided into two parties, Walker (ofwhom mention has been made), taking charge of the larger while Fremontled the smaller. It was the purpose of Walker to pass around to thefoot of the Sierra Nevada, by a route with which he was familiar, whileFremont with Carson and less than a dozen men, among whom were severalDelaware Indians, headed straight across the desert.
While advancing over this arid tract, they detected a volume of smokerising from a ravine. Cautiously approaching, they discovered an Indianwarrior perfectly nude, standing by a fire and watching an earthen potin which something was simmering. He was greatly frightened and offeredthem his food. They smiled, treated him kindly and gave him severaltrifling presents which he received with childish delight.
One of the singular incidents of the journey took place while theexploring party were making their way along the foot of the Sierras.Passing around a point on the lake shore, they unexpectedly met a dozenIndian warriors. They were walking directly behind each other in what isknown as Indian file, their heads bent forward and their eyes fixed onthe ground. The whites turned aside to allow them to pass and naturallywatched them with much interest. The Indians neither halted, deviatedfrom the path, spoke nor looked up, but walked straight forward withtheir silent, measured tread until they disappeared. The explorers didnot interfere with them or speak to them. Thus the representatives ofthe different races encountered.
The division under charge of Walker joined Fremont at the appointedrendezvous, but winter was upon them, the mountains were sure to bechoked with snow and no one was familiar with the route. As a matter ofprudence, therefore, Walker was directed to continue southward with theprincipal party, while Fremont and a few picked men pushed on directlythrough the Sierras to Sutter's Fort, with a view of obtaining thenecessary animals and supplies.
The smaller division was advancing as best it could, when a number ofplainly marked trails were observed showing they were in the vicinity ofsome of the most notorious horse thieves in the world. They were daringand skilful, went long distances, plundered ranches and hastened to themountains with their booty. The exasperated Californians often organizedand went in pursuit, but it was rare they overtook the dusky thieves,and when they succeeded in doing so, were invariably defeated.
This sort of people were undesirable neighbors, and Fremont sent forwardtwo Delawares and two mountaineers to make an investigation. Theyhad not gone far, when the company following them found the signs sothreatening that they were alarmed for the scouts. A short distancefurther they came upon such an excellent camping site that they decidedto halt for the night.