the march. At first,
he traveled to the northward, until he reached a tract of country
which these Indians seldom visited; then, changing his route by
compass, he struck the Bijoux River, which is a tributary of the
Platte River, and followed it down stream. At about twenty-five miles
from the mouth of the Bijoux, he quit that stream, and struck out
diagonally across the prairies, and soon reached the Platte itself,
down which he journeyed to Fort Kearney. Here he again changed his
course for the Republican Fork. On leaving this last-named stream, he
traveled direct to Fort Leavenworth, finally reaching that post with
his men and animals in fine condition, for the journey had been as
pleasant as could have been expected. Here he left his escort, and
set out alone for Washington. After reaching the land of railroads and
steamboats, he was but a few days in bringing the latter part of his
journey to an end. Handing his dispatches to the proper authorities,
Kit Carson turned right about and made his way to New Mexico, where he
arrived in the month of October, 1848.

It will be seen by following on a map the route which Kit Carson
planned on this occasion, that it was very circuitous, and led him a
great distance out of his way. Indeed he was, at times, far beyond the
roaming grounds of the Camanches, but this was necessary. He was not,
however, free from danger; but was obliged to be on the lookout for
their allies, the Kiowas, who are usually at war whenever the Camanche
nation is. His trail led him through a country which is celebrated as
abounding in game, and also in being well watered, and last, but not
least, the desideratum of finding grass of a good quality, whenever
he desired it, was proved a valuable assistant on the march. It may be
well to mention here, that one of the most curious of the phenomena of
the plains, to the inexperienced traveler, are those mirages which,
on every clear day, are sure to meet and delude his eyes. So wonderful
are these deceptions, that often the vision leads one to believe he is
beholding, in the distance, a beautiful city which is located on the
banks of some attractive lake. The outlines of the palaces, spires of
cathedrals, and even the lesser buildings themselves, all surrounded
with trees, bearing luxuriant and green foliage, together, form
an imaginary picture which throws into the background any of the
realities which are the work of man. The shading is oftentimes very
capt