ting him, he made off in the direction of Santa
Fe; and, at Cold Springs came upon the camp of Armijo, to whom he
reported proceedings. The narration of this sad story so dampened
the courage of the General and his men as to cause them to make a
precipitous retreat. The spot where this slaughter took place has
since gone by the name of the "battle ground" and many are the
bleached human bones that are still to be found there.

It was during Carson's stay of four days in Taos, that Armijo and
his small army had started out in quest of the enemy; but, before his
departure, he had received the letter and directed an answer to be
sent, thinking perhaps, that Kit Carson might reach the train even
if he himself did not. On the answer coming into Carson's hands, he
selected a Mexican boy to accompany him and was quickly on the road
again. They had left Taos two days' journey behind them and had
reached the River _Trinchera_ (for they were traveling via the
_Sangero de Christo_ Pass and Bent's Fort) when they unexpectedly
met four Indian warriors. Eat Carson immediately recognized them as
hostile Utahs. As yet the red men were some distance off; and, while
Kit and his companion stood meditating what was best to be done,
the latter spoke and said to the former: "I am a boy and perhaps the
Indians will spare my life. At any rate yours is much more valuable
than mine, therefore mount the horse you are leading, without delay,
and make your escape." Carson at first thought this advice to be good,
and was about acting on it, when it struck his equally generous heart,
how cowardly such a course would be--to desert a youth who had in the
hour of peril so manfully borne himself. Turning to the boy he thanked
him and added that "he could not and would not desert him." He said
"we must stand our ground together and if we have to die let us take
with us each his warrior." While this colloquy was going on, the
foremost of the Indians came up. He approached Carson with the air of
a man sure of an easy victory, and, with a bland smile, proffered one
hand in friendship, while, with the other, he grasped Kit's rifle.
A powerful blow from the fist of the latter released his hold and
instantly laid him sprawling upon the ground. The other Indians,
seeing the fate of their companion, hastened to his rescue. When they
reached talking distance, Kit, standing with his rifle brought to his
shoulder, informed them that, upon the first hostile demonstra