s main body. He marched about eight days' journey ahead, Fitzpatrick
following up his trail with the larger division. At this time the
expedition was journeying in the direction of the mouth of the
Columbia River. In due time they arrived safely at the river Dalles.
Here they made another brief halt. Colonel Fremont left Kit Carson
in command of this camp, while he, with a small party, proceeded to
Vancouver's Island and purchased some provisions. On his return he
found that the whole party had become consolidated. The command now
journeyed to Tlamath Lake in Oregon Territory. The descriptions of all
these journeys have already been given to the public in several forms,
all however based upon Colonel Fremont's reports made to the U.S.
Government. It would be superfluous, therefore, for us to fill up the
pages of the life of Kit Carson with matter already published beyond
the occurrences appertaining to him. Having finished the observations
upon Tlamath Lake, the expedition started for California. The route
led through a barren and desolate country, rendering game scarce. As
the command drew near to the Sierra Nevada Mountains, they were found
to be entirely covered with deep snow throughout the entire range of
vision. At this time the provisions had commenced giving out. Game
was so scarce that it could not be depended on. The propositions which
presented themselves at this crisis were to cross the mountains or
take the fearful chance of starving to death. Crossing the mountains,
terrible though the alternative, was the choice of all. It was better
than inactivity and certain death. On arriving at the mountains the
snow was found to be about six feet deep on a level. The first task
was to manufacture snow-shoes for the entire party. By the aid of
these foot appendages, an advance party was sent on to explore the
route and to determine how far a path would have to be broken for the
animals. This party reached a spot from whence they could see their
way clear and found that the path for the animals would be three
leagues in length. The advance party also saw, in the distance, the
green valley of the Sacramento and the coast range of mountains.
Kit Carson was the first man to recognize these, to the snow-bound
travelers, desirable localities, although it was now seventeen years
since he had last gazed upon them. The advance party then returned
to their friends in the rear and reported their proceedings. All were
delighted o