the greater part of the day.  Finally, as Gen. Kearney and his men were approaching the water, where they, intended to camp, and were not over five hundred yards from it, down came the Mexicans, divided into two separate commands, for the purpose of making a charge.  They were at first warmly received by the Americans, who, after a time, were obliged to give way to superior numbers; but, in doing so, they retreated in good order to a hill about two hundred yards to their left.  Here they halted and determined to decide the battle; but the wary Mexicans, on seeing the strength of the position taken by their foes, declined to attack them and drew off to a neighboring height, from which they commenced and maintained a deadly fire on the Americans.  Captains Emery and Turner, with all the available dragoons, were sent to dislodge them.  This they did in splendid style, after a sharp encounter, and when their companions saw them take possession of this position, General Kearney, with all his wounded and luggage trains, joined them there.  Here a permanent resting-place, for the time being, was made.  In fact, the men had no other choice, as they were now pretty effectually used up from fighting, severe loss and fatigue.  The Americans found on this hill water barely sufficient for their own use, and were obliged to exclude the idea of sharing it with their animals.  Although within sight of abundance of this much-needed article, yet they did not dare to drive the latter to it, for they were too weak to defend them from the assaults of the enemy.  The situation of Gen. Kearney’s force was now critical in the extreme; as, besides the dangers that surrounded him, the men were reduced to living on their mules.  That afternoon another council of war was called, at which desperate efforts to be made for immediate relief were discussed.  When every spark of hope had almost died within them, and when they were in a dilemma as to what still remained for them to do, Kit Carson was found to act as the reader has previously seen him act to parties almost similarly situated—­the right man in the right place.  Rising to his feet, he addressed a few simple words to those present, saying that he was willing to make the attempt of creeping through the Mexican lines.  Should he succeed, he pledged his word that he could carry information to Commodore Stockton at San Diego, and thus bring them succor.  No sooner had he made this proposition than he was seconded by Lieutenant Beale, then of the United States Navy, who, equally as brave and daring as Kit Carson, volunteered his services in the undertaking.

This gentleman, since the time he first turned landsman up to the present date, has been adding fresh laurels to his fame.  His recent career in exploring new routes across the great western girdle of prairies and mountains is so well known through his valuable and interesting reports as not to require recapitulation at our hands.  His life has been one series of rare adventures; while, to the scientific world, he has proved a valuable acquisition.  To the United States Government his services are inestimable; and, as an explorer, he has but few equals.