the dragoons to guard the
property as far as the fording of the Arkansas River, which was then
the boundary line between the two countries. The Mexicans had become
alarmed for fear they might be attacked on parting with the United
States soldiers; so, on meeting with Kit Carson, who was well known to
them, they offered three hundred dollars if he would carry a letter
to Armijo who was then Governor of New Mexico, and lived at Santa Fe.
This letter apprised the General of the danger to which his men and
property were exposed and asked for assistance to be immediately sent
to them. Carson accepted the offer, and in company with Owens, another
mountaineer, he set out on his express ride. In the course of a few
days he reached Bent's Fort, where his companion concluded not to
go on with him. At the Fort, Kit Carson was informed that the Utah
Indians, then hostile, were scattered along his intended route. He was
not, however, turned from his duty by this danger, but he resumed his
journey immediately. At this last-named place his friend, Mr. Bent,
kindly furnished him with a fleet and magnificent horse, which he led,
so that, should he find himself in peril, he might mount this fresh
animal and make his escape.

By watching for signs and being continually on the alert, Kit Carson
discovered the Indians and their village without exposing his own
person to view. He immediately secreted himself in an out-of-the-way
place and remained until the coming on of darkness; when, he passed
safely by the camp of the savages. In the course of a few days he
reached Taos and handed his dispatch to the _Alcalde_ of the town
to be forwarded to Santa Fe. As had been previously agreed upon, he
waited here for an answer with which he was to return. At Taos Carson
was informed that Armijo had already sent out one hundred Mexican
soldiers to seek his caravan and that the General himself, in command
of six hundred more, was soon to follow after. It was afterwards
learned that this unfortunate band of one hundred men went as far
as the Arkansas River, but could not find any traces of the train of
wagons, it not having completed that much of its journey; therefore,
they commenced to retrace their steps, but had proceeded only a few
miles, when they were suddenly attacked by the Texians, who succeeded
in massacring all but one man. This survivor had succeeded in
catching, in the heat of the battle, a fully equipped Texan horse
which was loose. Moun