It is indeed a valuable possession to know that one has friends who cannot be bought by wealth or other sordid attractions; men, who can discern through the rough garb of the working, as well as thinking man, those noble qualities which place them on a par.  This acquisition Kit Carson holds.  He easily makes a friend, and never deserts him; hence, those, with whom he comes in contact, who are worthy of this name, are enrolled on his side; and he seldom has occasion to call a man his enemy.  Kit Carson was so embarrassed and overcome by the expressions of kindness and hospitality which greeted his first arrival at Washington, that he could hardly essay a reply; and yet, he was almost too happy at the opportunity presented of accepting Mrs. Fremont’s invitation.  If there was anything wanted to cement Carson more firmly in his friendship and admiration for Colonel Fremont, it was thus to know his accomplished and gifted lady.  The situation of Jessie Fremont has often been comparable with that of the noble-hearted Lady Franklin.  Again and again has she been compelled to part from her husband when he started out to battle in the cause of science, and, in the words of the poet, she seemingly said: 

  “Go, wondrous creature! mount where science guides;
  Go, measure earth, weigh air, and state the tides.”

Kit Carson remained some time in Washington; but had it not been for the many tokens of kindness which he there received, he would have grown weary of the restraints of civilization.  As it was, he continually longed to be once more in the mountains and prairies.  His desire, in time, was granted; for, having received the appointment of lieutenant in the rifle corps of the United States army from President Polk, he was ordered, as bearer of dispatches, to return across the continent from whence he had but recently come.  Lieutenant Beale had intended to return with him, but did not eventually proceed any further than St. Louis.  There he became too ill to continue on the journey.  After arriving at Fort Leavenworth, Kit Carson was furnished with an escort of fifty men, who were volunteers in the war which was then being carried on against Mexico.  With his usual promptness and dispatch, Kit Carson was soon under way crossing the plains.  At Leavenworth he had learned that the Camanche Indians were at war with the whites.  As he knew them to be a numerous and treacherous tribe, he had taken this strong escort in order to give them battle, if they should be anxious for it.  However, he arrived at a place called the “Point of Rocks,” which is not far from the Rocky Mountains, and on their east side, without discovering any signs of these Indians.  At this place they made their appearance.