While the friends were talking, some of the Indians began to laugh, which caused Carson to turn his head and look in the direction they were gazing.  To his astonishment and disgust, he saw (the truth was too evident to be mistaken) that the cowardly Mexican man had, on his leaving, pulled off from her horse Mrs. Carson and her child, and having mounted the animal himself, was making good his escape.  The Indians wished to keep up the ruse, pursue, Attempt to overtake and punish the poltroon; but Kit Carson was too thankful that matters had gone so well; therefore, he said that he felt that he could excuse such dastardly conduct, and requested the Indians to let it pass unnoticed.  It is hardly necessary to add that with his faithful body-guard who had come to watch over him from feelings of earnest respect, gratitude and affectionate regard, the agent accomplished the remainder of his journey in perfect safety.

Several years have elapsed, as the reader can easily estimate, since Kit Carson met, while traveling home from one of his expeditions, the Mormon delegate to Congress who had first informed him of his appointment as Indian agent.  During this length of time Kit Carson has retained this office and rendered satisfactory service.  The tract of country over which the Indians roam who are especially connected with his agency, is about equal in its area, to any one of the larger States in the American Confederacy.  The Indians who are under his jurisdiction, are large and powerful bands of the Apaches and Utahs; but, as we have said before, neighboring tribes freely seek his counsel, aid and protectorate power as they may require it, and they all, from habit, consider that they have a claim on his services.  To best illustrate this, we have but to cite one instance of which a thousand similar exist.  Two Indian women were taken prisoners by the red men of the plains from a band of savages not under the immediate control of Kit Carson, who inhabited a section of New Mexico.  These squaws, while captives, were subjected to the severest labor and the most brutal punishment which Indian ingenuity could invent.  For one year they submitted without exhibiting any outward symptoms by which their condition could be known; but, at the end of that time, they resolved to escape, even if they were killed in the attempt.  Watching a favorable opportunity, they started, and fortunately, so well laid their plans, that, for some time, they were not missed.  On their prolonged absence being noticed, a party who were well mounted commenced the pursuit, no doubt believing that, to recapture the runaways would be an easy task.  The squaws however eluded these horsemen, and, on foot, made their way to Kit Carson’s house at Taos.  By him they were hospitably received, entertained and amply provided for.  They had traveled on foot for hundreds of miles, and, while en route, had lived on roots and such other food as fell in their way.  In their reduced condition, it required kindness, proper diet