their tribe were causing him.  Among the soldiers,” he said, “he had many friends, who would be certain to come to his relief, and, if they should find that his party was massacred, which he let the Indians know could only be accomplished by his men being overpowered, they would be already informed by whom it was done, and would be sure to visit upon the perpetrators of the crime, a terrible retribution.”  The Indians said they would look for the moccasin tracks made by the messenger, and thus decide whether that which they had just heard was true, or not.  Kit Carson hearing this, at once considered it as the turning point in favor of the safety of his party.  The Indians immediately went to look for the trail.  Shortly afterwards the entire Indian village passed within sight, and were evidently making the best of their time in seeking some safe hiding-place.  The five warriors had, therefore, evidently found the expressman’s trail, as they had been informed that they would, and that the boy had proceeded too far on his journey to think of pursuing him.  On his way to Rayado, the messenger overtook the detachment of recruits to which was attached the officer who had caused the trouble.  To the commander of these men, the young Mexican reported the position, as he left them, of his employer and companions, but that gentleman, for some unaccountable reason, would not then grant the desired aid; therefore, the boy pushed on to Rayado, where he found a warm-hearted and brave soldier in the person of Major Grier, who commanded the post.  The major, on hearing the message sent by Kit Carson, immediately ordered Lieutenant R. Johnston, his subaltern officer, to take a squad of dragoons and proceed to the assistance of his countrymen.  While on his march, Lieutenant Johnston met with the command of recruits of whom we have before spoken.  In the course of the conversation which ensued, Johnston was asked, by the officer in charge of the recruits, what was the service he was engaged on? and, being informed, that gentleman probably gave the subject deeper thought, and it may have occurred to him, and such is the opinion of Kit Carson, that if the affair was properly managed, there might be some glory accruing from it.  At any rate, he suddenly changed his mind, and ordered a detail of men to go with the lieutenant.  The relief party, as thus reinforced, again started, and found Kit Carson and his train of wagons at a point that is some twenty-five miles below Bent’s Fort.  Under the escort of the soldiers, Kit and his men travelled in safety to Rayado, where he had the pleasure of thanking Major Grier for his praise worthy and prompt action, in succoring him and a few other American citizens who had thus been exposed to the barbarities of savages, made hostile by the overbearing conduct of a man whose double blunder was shielded by power.  Although the fighting qualifications of the soldiers were not called into requisition, yet, they performed a meritorious service by coming.  They might have been instrumental in saving lives while protecting commerce, and their frequent visits to remote Indian countries always leaves salutary impressions on the minds of the red men.