But to effect this was attended with no slight difficulties.  Kit Carson had a large sum invested in his improvements, by way of payments for labor, as well as purchases of stock, provision, farming tools, utensils, teams, wagons, seed, and stock in general.  The erection of his house, barns, etc., was under an advance which reached far towards completion.  But with Kit Carson, his word was worth more than prospective losses which its fulfillment would entail.  In company with Mr. Owens, he set himself actively at work to effect a complete sell-out.  After a good deal of anxious inquiry, he found a man who was willing to pay one half of the real valuation attached to his property.  Notwithstanding this sacrifice, the bargain was closed and the business details completed.  In company with Mr. Owens, Kit Carson once more bade his family and friends an affectionate farewell.  They took the route for Bent’s Fort, and arrived there in the course of a few days.  The meeting between Fremont and Carson was mutually satisfactory.  With his friend, Mr. Owens, he joined the Third expedition of Col.  Fremont, which was the last one which he undertook by authority of the United States government.

A long tramp was before them.  The arrangements preparatory were, therefore, made with corresponding care and diligence.  The route led up the Arkansas River to the point where that stream leaves the mountains; thence they made a circuit by the Ballo Salado, or Soda Springs, coming back again upon the Arkansas, striking the stream above its great canon.  Thence they journeyed on to the head waters of the river.  Here they left the Arkansas River and took a direct route for the Piney River, down which latter stream they traveled to a spot within twenty-five miles of its mouth.  From this place they continued their explorations of the country to the head of White River.  Following down it, they soon reached the mountains.  Crossing them, they proceeded to Prevost’s Fork.

At this spot a desperate fight once occurred between a party of trappers and a band of hostile Indians.  The trappers were commanded by a man whose name has ever since been applied to the stream.  Prevost, although he had a strong party and fought a most desperate battle, nevertheless was outnumbered, outgeneralled, and most completely overpowered.  The Indians succeeded in killing the entire party, including himself, with but four exceptions.  These four escaped only with the greatest difficulty and prudence.  Through them the particulars of the affair became known to the mountaineers.

Col.  Fremont (we should before this have mentioned that Fremont had been promoted in the corps of Topographical Engineers from the post of Lieutenant to the rank of Captain by brevet) now examined the country as far as the south side of the Great Salt Lake, passing on his route a smaller body of water, which, for many years, has been known as Little Utah Lake.  The command halted at Great Salt Lake a few days to recruit,