ians--Kit Carson joins Gaunt's Party--The
Parks--Winter Quarters--Crow Indian Depredations--Kit
Carson and his Party in Pursuit--the Fight--Winter on the
Arkansas--Another Expedition--Two Deserters--Kit Carson
sent in Pursuit--The Fate of the Runaways--Adventures with
Indians--Hair-breadth Escape made by Kit Carson.

In September, Mr. Young, having accomplished all that he had intended,
informed his men that he was going to New Mexico. The homeward
route was through most of the country over which they had previously
traveled. The preparations for the journey having been completed, the
party started, touching on the way at the Mission of San Fernando, and
thence through to the Peublo of Los Angelos. Scattered over various
parts of the dominion of Old Mexico are these Peublos, or Indian
villages, called so because they are inhabited by Indians who bear
that name. These are the true descendants of the ancient Aztecs, who
were once the subjects of the Montezumas. They are usually a quiet
and industrious race, and are most devout in their religious worship,
according to the principles, forms, and ceremonies of the Roman
Catholic Church. They have not failed to inherit the superstition of
their forefathers. Not withstanding the changes which time, with its
cohorts of emigration, books, religious teachings, association with
other races, mechanics, science and art, in greater or less degree,
has introduced into their country, and accomplished under their eyes,
they still believe that some day their great chief will return to
them; accordingly, in each and every one of their towns, they keep a
watch-fire burning, in order, on his advent, to let him know where his
children live.

At Los Angelos the Mexican authorities came to the trappers and
demanded their passports. On finding that such articles of paper
authority did not form any part of a trapper's outfit, they determined
to arrest them. Fear, however, prevented their determination from
assuming any very formidable action. Former experience in a similar
matter of official duty had taught those Mexicans that the American
trappers were men of a peculiarly resolute nature. Fair and legitimate
means were therefore laid aside, and a foul policy adopted. They
commenced supplying them with "firewater," thus attacking them in a
weak point. When they should become fully inebriated they considered
the matter of their arrest both easy and certain.

Mr. Young, s