seven Americans.  For this reason he determined not to trust them, even if they professed friendship.  The Indians wished to come into his camp, but this privilege he would by no means grant to them.  He posted his men and selected a place so that he himself could talk, and at the same time let them see that if the least hostile demonstration was made by their side, it would be answered by a volley of bullets from the rifles of the white men.  Kit Carson harangued them and informed them that he knew of the murders they had committed on his people during the past year.  He told them that they bore a treacherous character and could not be treated as friends, and wound up his discourse by adding, that he would not allow himself to be deceived, for he knew that their only object in gaining admission into his camp was to repeat their bloody acts.  He now gave them a limited period of time in which to be off, at the expiration of which, several lounged about, apparently doubting his words.  He now gave the order to fire.  In consequence, a few shots were aimed at them, which killed one and wounded three or four others.  This had the tendency to hurry the movements of the remainder, who retired from the dangerous proximity to his camp.  This was a case which required some nerve and great experience in the commander of the little party.  Nothing but the personal courage and promptness of Kit Carson saved his command.  The success of fifteen men against three hundred Indians in this manner, is chiefly due to their commander.

The party proceeded on their journey, but soon were troubled for food.  Having used up all the game they could find, they were obliged to kill two mules, on which they lived until they arrived at Los Angelos.  Kit Carson, finding that the officers to whom he was ordered to deliver his dispatches were at Monterey, journeyed thither, and having reached that town in safety, gave the documents to Col.  Mason, then of the First Regiment of United States dragoons, who was in command.  Obeying orders, Kit Carson, now an acting lieutenant in the United States army, returned to Los Angelos and was assigned to do duty in the company of United States dragoons commanded by Captain Smith.  Kit was allowed little time to recruit, but his restless disposition did not ask, nor his habits require it; consequently, he remained at Los Angelos only a short period.  With a command of twenty-five dragoons, he was ordered to proceed to Tajon Pass, the main outlet through which hostile Indians went out of California, bearing the proceeds of their incursions, such as cattle, horses, sheep and captives.  Kit Carson’s duty in this place was to intercept the Indians and examine their papers and cargoes.  He spent the winter in doing much good in this service.  In the spring, he was again ordered to proceed overland to Washington, with dispatches.  An escort being furnished him, he was soon under way, and had reached Grand River without encountering any serious difficulty.  At this place an accident happened to his party while crossing the river on rafts.