even at the council; but, after it broke up, he was early apprised of the trouble which was brewing; and, to prevent any outbreak, he brought all his Indian experience to bear upon the task.  In him they said that they knew they had a true friend; but, their nation had received too many wrongs to allow any more to be thrust upon them without showing to the world that they were worthy of the names which their fathers had given to them.

CHAPTER XVII.

The Commencement of a formidable Indian War—­High-handed Measures on the Part of the Indians—­The Governor of New Mexico raises five hundred Mexican Volunteers and places them under the Command of Colonel St. Vrain—­Colonel Fauntleroy placed in Command of all the Forces—­Kit Carson is chosen as Chief Guide—­The Campaign commenced—­The Trail found—­The Indians are met and the first Fight and its Consequences—­An Excitement in Camp—­The Indians again overtaken—­The return to Fort Massachusetts—­Intense Cold Weather experienced—­The Second Campaign—­Colonel Fauntleroy surprises the Main Camp of the Enemy—­The War and Scalp Dance broken up—­Terrible Slaughter of the Indians—­The Great Amount of Plunder taken and destroyed—­Another small Party of Indians surprised and routed—­St. Vrain equally fortunate in his Campaign—­The Indians sue for Peace—­The Council held and Treaties signed—­Kit Carson opposes the making of them—­The poor Protection Indian Treaties usually afford to Settlers—­Kit Carson’s House at Taos and his Indian Friends—­His Attachment for his Family put to the test—­Cowardice of a Mexican—­Kit Carson’s Friends as they look upon him—­His influence over Indians—­General remarks—­Conclusion.

The Muache band of Utahs, under their renowned Chief Blanco, after trading for all the powder and lead which they required, joined the Apaches and commenced the war in earnest.  They waylaid and murdered travelers on the roads, attacked towns, killed and made prisoners the people who inhabited them, and became so formidable that for a length of time everything was at their mercy.  They lost no opportunity in showing their power and in possessing themselves of the finest herds of horses, mules, cattle and sheep within their reach.

This Chief Blanco is a man who stands in his moccasins about five feet nine inches.  He is rather thickset but, to use an Indian phrase, he is straight as an arrow.  The chief attraction about this Indian is his head, which is finely developed.  His lustrous black eye is filled with animation and shows an active brain, which, unfortunately, is turned to bad account.  His forehead is lofty, yet it is symmetrically chiselled, and every feature about his face is as regular as if it had been carved for sculptured perfection.  Blanco is a man who, in any sphere of life, would have become most certainly distinguished; and, under the influence of education, he might have risen even to greatness.  In his present unreclaimed state, he shows to a disadvantage.