aced in the
command of fifteen men, with orders to make an overland journey to
Washington, as bearer of very important dispatches.

At the time of which we write, there was no steam communication, as
now, _via_ the two great oceans, consequently, the intercourse between
our brave countrymen in California and the government at Washington
was attended with extreme difficulty. Fortunately, Fremont had in Kit
Carson just the man to make such a journey through an enemy's country.

Kit Carson was instructed to use his utmost endeavors to make the
journey in sixty days, which was no small undertaking, when we
consider the great distance to be traveled over and the obstacles that
lay in his path; he undertook it, however, with a determination not to
be easily frustrated.

By judicious management and watchfulness, Kit was making good
progress, and had reached a point within two days' travel of the
Copper Mines in New Mexico without being in any way annoyed. Here he
came into full view of a village of Apache Indians, who were then, as
they nearly ever since have been, at war with the Americans. He had
been discovered by these Indians, and there was but one true way to
act, which was not to show the white feather by attempting to evade
them. Fremont's dispatch bearer had not the least idea of that; he
was too well schooled in Indian stratagem to be out-manoeuvered, so he
rode on as if nothing had happened until he came to some timber that
lay within one hundred yards of their village, when he halted. At
first the Indians were disconcerted at the boldness of the whites,
and were showing it by hurrying to and fro, either for the purpose
of leaving or to be better prepared to offer fight. On arriving near
enough so to do, Kit Carson called to the savages and informed them
that his party were friends and wished a parley. To this an assent was
given, when Kit made them understand that he and his men were simply
travelers, en route for New Mexico; that they carried the olive branch
of peace with them, and had come among them bearing it, in the hopes
of being able to exchange their fatigued animals for others that were
fresh. With this the Indians were satisfied; therefore, Carson chose a
camping-ground for himself and men, and selected the site so that they
could best contend against the treachery of the red men, should they
attempt any. When the camp was arranged, the Indians were allowed to
come in; and, soon after, the trading com