being one of the most
dangerous places for the traveler in all the far West. It is a series
of continuous hills, which project out on the prairies in bold relief.
They end abruptly in a mass of rocks, out of which gushes a cold and
refreshing spring, which is the main attraction about the place. The
road winds about near this point, and therefore it is a chosen spot
for the Indians to lurk, in order to catch the unwary pilgrim. Several
encounters with the savages have taken place here, which has caused it
to be pointed out as the scene of bloody tragedies, thereby making it
quite historical. The Indians themselves have made this spot the stage
on which has been enacted several desperate battles. In making the
journey to Santa Fe, when these rocks are passed, the traveler
counts his march as being drawn to a close. Government troops, on the
look-out for Indians on the plains, rarely fail, when they come from
New Mexico, to give this place a visit.

Kit Carson had arrived at the place with his escort, and was about
establishing his camp. His men were under orders to keep a vigilant
watch for Indians, while Kit Carson's restless eye was searching
the country in every direction to discover their signs. About three
hundred yards distant he discovered white men, and found there was
encamped a company of United States volunteers, under the command of
Lieutenant Mulony. With this company was a large train of wagons bound
for New Mexico. Kit Carson ordered his men to go into camp. The night
passed by without any signs of the Indians; but, early in the morning
of the subsequent day, as Lieutenant Mulony's men were leading out
their animals to picket them in fresh grass, the savages suddenly
made their appearance and began an attack upon the picketing party,
capturing all their cattle and twenty-six horses. Mulony's men had
left their rifles in camp, and therefore, in order to escape being
killed, they retreated to their wagons. The cattle, in the confusion
which ensued, turned and came towards Kit Carson's camp. He and his
men, who were instantly on the alert, made an unexpected charge upon
the Indians and recaptured the oxen. During the skirmish which ensued,
two of his men dismounted, in order to be more certain of a deliberate
aim, but, in so doing, they accidentally let their own horses go
loose, and lost them, as they ran away with those that were being
stampeded by the red men.

In this affair three of the volunteers wer