and weary from travel over rocky trails and through deep snows.  It became evident that the looked-for men were not in that quarter; therefore, Fremont returned to the prairies near by, in the hopes of saving his cattle; but, when he arrived there, he was destitute of these animals, for they had all given out and died.  The party had, previous to this misfortune, killed some of the best of the oxen, and prepared the meat to carry along with them; but, in no great quantities, as their riding animals were not strong enough to bear heavy burdens.  The command had hardly left the mountains and succeeded in reaching the prairies, before they were obliged to submit to further trials and losses.  After going into camp one night, the men, tired and worn out by much labor, had lain down to rest.  As a guard had been posted, they gave themselves but little concern about danger.  Their sentinels were not on the look-out as sharply as they might have been.  The consequence was, that some hostile Indians crept within their lines and killed two mules, which depredation was not discovered until the next morning.

Fremont had no animals remaining in condition to give chase, and therefore had quietly to submit to his loss.  He now resolved to give up for the time being his search for Talbot’s party and return to Sutter’s Fort, where he could reorganize.  While on their road to the Fort, the men came suddenly upon a band of the same Indians who had recently annoyed them.  These fellows seemed to invite an engagement, and were gratified by Col.  Fremont.  In the skirmish that ensued, they lost five warriors killed.  The rest fled.  The party, after undergoing many hardships, finally reached their point of destination.  During the latter part of this tramp, game had become so scarce that the men had to shoot whatever came in their way.  This time it chanced to be wild horses.  When they arrived at the Fort they were on foot, their saddle and pack animals having all given out and broken down.  By the kind assistance of Mr. Sutter, they were furnished anew.  After recruiting a little their own worn-out bodies, they started on their second trip in quest of their companions.  They traversed the coast range and went to San Jose to see if they could hear anything through the Mexicans and Indians who resided there, concerning the whereabouts of the missing men; as perchance, some of the hunters or traders among these people might, in their travels, have met or heard something of them.  On making inquiries at San Jose, they were informed that the party was encamped at a well known place on the San Joaquin.  This piece of intelligence immediately decided Fremont to dispatch Carson and two companions to that section of country, while he and the remainder of the men would remain where they were and await his return.  Kit Carson performed his mission with his usual promptness and soon returned with his charge, when the expedition was once more united under one leader.  Owing to the great trials and privations