division
under charge of Kit Carson having arrived several days before, had also
gone into camp with the appearance of the commander of the expedition.

CHAPTER XX

Alarming News--Fremont Presses Forward and is Not Molested--Arrival at
South Pass--Fremont's Account of the Ascent of the Highest Peak of
the Rocky Mountains--The Return to Fort Laramie--Carson Starts for New
Mexico--End of Fremont's First Exploring Expedition.

Alarming news awaited Fremont at Fort Laramie. A number of trappers
informed them that the Sioux, through whose country their route lay,
were excited to exasperation by several recent conflicts with hunters
in which the red men were worsted. The Sioux warriors were gathered in
large numbers and would attack any white men who ventured beyond the
fort. They had already massacred a number and it was impossible for
Fremont and his party to get through without a battle in which they were
likely to be overwhelmed.

Carson looked upon the situation as so serious that he made his will and
left it at the fort. When consulted by Fremont, he said he considered
the prospect full of peril, but he was ready to go the moment required.
The commander was confident the danger was greatly exaggerated, and,
without much misgiving, he resumed his journey westward, following up
the north fork of the Platte. Game and water were found, and, at the end
of three weeks, they arrived at the South Pass of the Rocky Mountains
without having exchanged a shot with a red man on the way.

They had now reached their destination and Lieutenant Fremont at once
began his observations. When they were concluded he undertook the
ascent of the highest mountain peak. The situation was anything but
encouraging: they were in the country of the hostile Blackfeet, some of
whom were observed hovering in the vicinity; men and animals were worn
out and it was hard to procure game. But the ascent was begun, Fremont
taking fourteen men with him. Those who were left in camp erected a rude
but strong fort, behind which they were confident they could sustain
themselves against any force the Indians were likely to muster.

The ascent of the mountain was laborious in the extreme. Kit Carson
climbed to one of the loftiest peaks from which he gained a full view of
the very highest elevation. The next day Fremont sent Carson and several
of the men back. He unquestionably intended that no one should share
with him the honor of climbing the most