He immediately called upon the mayor of the town, to whom he delivered the dispatches, and he at once sent an agent with them, down south a distance of about thirty miles to the governor at Santa Fe.  He waited at Taos the return of the messenger to recruit himself and horses in preparation for his ride back.  The response was that Governor Armijo had sent a hundred Mexican dragoons to seek the caravan, and that he was about to follow with six hundred more.  We may mention in passing, that this company of one hundred men, were attacked after a few days’ march, by a large body of Texan rangers, and were all massacred except one, who escaped on a fleet horse.

Governor Armijo and his dragoons, as they were on their way, learned of this massacre, and hearing exaggerated reports of the strength of the Texan Rangers, retreated rapidly to their fortification at Santa Fe.  The governor, in the meantime, entrusted dispatches to Carson, thinking that he, by riding express, could reach the caravan before the governmental troops could come to their aid.

Carson was a remarkable judge of character.  He selected, as a companion for his return, a Mexican boy whose innate nobility was soon developed.  When two days out from Taos, Carson and his young companion came suddenly upon four Indian warriors.  There was no escape, for the warriors, though at a distance, had seen them, and were riding rapidly down upon them.  This noble young Mexican promptly turned to Kit Carson and said, “I am but a boy and perhaps the Indians will spare my life.  At any rate your life is much more valuable than mine.  Therefore mount the horse you are leading without delay, and you can undoubtedly make your escape.”

Kit Carson replied, “I cannot and I will not forsake you.  We must stand our ground together.  If we have to die, let us take each with us an Indian warrior.”

At this time the Indians had come near and halted out of rifle range, as Carson and his companion were taking deliberate aim at them, thus forbidding a nearer approach.  One of the savages then alighted, and leaving his arms behind him, came forward for a parley.  He assumed to be very much at his ease, and approached with a careless, swaggering air and a smile, and offered his hand in token of friendship.  Carson accepted the proffered hand.  The moment it was released, the savage, a man of herculean frame, grasped his rifle endeavoring to wrench it from him, doubtless intending instantly to shoot him down, when the boy would easily become their captive.  But Carson, with his clenched fist and sinewy arm, gave the Indian instantly such a blow between the eyes as rolled him prostrate upon the grass, with the blood spouting from his nostrils.

The Indian, apprehensive that the next moment a rifle ball would pierce his heart, sprang up and with the fleetness of an antelope rejoined his companions.  They were on the open prairie.  There was nothing to afford either party the slightest protection.  The Indians slowly and cautiously advanced, until they came within speaking distance.  Carson, who could speak their language, hailed them and ordered them to stop.  He then assured them, that if they advanced any farther or made any hostile demonstration whatever, two of their number would certainly and instantly die.