ese scenes are enacted
is a very undesirable place for a mere spectator. Kit Carson and party
resumed their march the same day, and arrived safely at Santa Fe,
without meeting with any other adventures. At this town he left his
escort of fifty volunteers, and hired sixteen other men with which
to perform the remainder of his journey. This was in obedience to
the orders he had received at Fort Leavenworth. Pursuing his route on
Muddy Creek, a tributary of Virgin River, he came upon a village of
some three hundred Indians, so suddenly, as his route twisted about
among the hills, that he had to make a bold matter of it, and go into
camp, for the purpose of having a "talk." Kit Carson had learned some
time before that these very red men had massacred seven Americans. For
this reason he determined not to trust them, even if they professed
friendship. The Indians wished to come into his camp, but this
privilege he would by no means grant to them. He posted his men and
selected a place so that he himself could talk, and at the same time
let them see that if the least hostile demonstration was made by their
side, it would be answered by a volley of bullets from the rifles of
the white men. Kit Carson harangued them and informed them that he
knew of the murders they had committed on his people during the past
year. He told them that they bore a treacherous character and could
not be treated as friends, and wound up his discourse by adding, that
he would not allow himself to be deceived, for he knew that their only
object in gaining admission into his camp was to repeat their bloody
acts. He now gave them a limited period of time in which to be off,
at the expiration of which, several lounged about, apparently doubting
his words. He now gave the order to fire. In consequence, a few shots
were aimed at them, which killed one and wounded three or four others.
This had the tendency to hurry the movements of the remainder, who
retired from the dangerous proximity to his camp. This was a case
which required some nerve and great experience in the commander of the
little party. Nothing but the personal courage and promptness of Kit
Carson saved his command. The success of fifteen men against three
hundred Indians in this manner, is chiefly due to their commander.

The party proceeded on their journey, but soon were troubled for food.
Having used up all the game they could find, they were obliged to kill
two mules, on which they lived un