mode of life.  Such toilet articles as mirrors and razors, with their paraphernalia, are dispensed with, personal beauty being a thing the most to be despised.  In lieu thereof, robust health shows itself in the cheek, the eye, and the whole economy of the man.  The blood courses through his veins as pure as the water in the mountain streams about him.  By this training, the mind becomes clear and well balanced, and the whole system reaches a condition which far surpasses the finest constructed machinery.  This happy state of the body does not, however, communicate itself to the fantastical appearance of the soldiers as they come marching along.  Were they to enter a town belonging to a civilized community, when arrayed in this mountain costume, they would be at once judged as a band of desperadoes.

On arriving at his home, Kit Carson resumed the duties of his office as Indian Agent, which occupied his time during the remainder of the year.  Soon after, another expedition was organized and sent out against the Apaches, but it returned unsuccessful.

We have used this word “organizing,” when speaking of the fitting out of various expeditions against the Indians, and it seems proper that here we should give the reader an idea of what kind of preparation is necessary to put one of these commands in proper trim.  The company, or companies, of soldiers will be first detailed for the arduous duties of the field to castigate the Indians.  This matter is easy to accomplish; but the next thing to be thought of is to take care of these troops, which is not quite so puerile a task.  The quartermaster estimates from the number of the soldiers how many mules will be required to transport their luggage, equipments and provisions.  This having been determined upon, he collects the animals and has them provided with pack-saddles.  The task of shoeing the horses and mules is also no easy matter, for they cannot go until after they have been properly shod.  A certain weight of freight is assigned to each pack mule, and a suitable number of men are employed to take care of, load and unload these animals when in camp.  When on the march, these men perform duty as drivers, and otherwise look after their charge.  Notwithstanding their proverbial obstinacy, these pack mules quickly learn the labor which they have to perform.  After finishing their usual day’s work, they often exhibit impatience to be relieved of their burdens.  In the morning they are correspondingly reluctant about being loaded, and by their hostile demonstrations, they plainly show their unwillingness to engage in further labor.  Especially is this true, when, by careless management, their backs have become injured; or when, from the steadiness of pressure from the “dead weight” of their cargoes, the same result has been brought about.  The Mexicans understand the art of packing animals to perfection, hence they are preferred before other men to serve in this capacity.  It is often a laughable scene to witness a mule who