Kit Carson, at fifteen years of age, was no ordinary person.  He had at this early age earned, and well earned, a reputation, on the basis of which the prediction was ventured in his behalf, that he would not fail to make and leave a mark upon the hearts of his countrymen.  Those who knew him at the age of fifteen, hesitated not to say, “Kit Carson is the boy who will grow into a man of influence and renown.”

The chief points of his character which elicited this prediction were thus early clearly marked.  Some of his traits were kindness and good qualities of heart, determined perseverance, indomitable will, unflinching courage, great quickness and shrewdness of perception, and promptitude in execution.  The predictions uttered by the hardy rangers of the forest concerning a boy like Carson are seldom at fault; and Kit was one who, by many a youthful feat worthy the muscle of riper years, had endeared himself to their honest love.  It was among such men and for such reason, that Kit Carson thus early in life had won the influence and rewards of a general favorite.

His frame was slight, below the medium stature, closely knit together, and endowed with extraordinary elasticity.  He had, even then, stood the test of much hard usage.  What the body lacked in strength was more than compensated for by his indomitable will; consequently, at this early age, he was considered capable of performing a frontier man’s work, both in tilling the soil and handling the rifle.

It was at this period of his eventful life that his father, acting partially under the advice of friends, determined that his son Kit should learn a trade.  A few miles from Kit’s forest home, there lived a Mr. David Workman, a saddler.  To him he was apprenticed.  With Mr. Workman young Carson remained two years, enjoying both the confidence and respect of his employer; but, mourning over the awl, the hide of new leather, the buckle and strap; for, the glorious shade of the mighty forest; the wild battle with buffalo and bear; the crack of the unerring rifle, pointed at the trembling deer.  Saddlery is an honorable employment; but saddlery never made a greater mistake than when it strove to hitch to its traces the bold impulse, the wild yearning, the sinewy muscle of Kit Carson.  Harness-making was so irksome to his ardent temperament and brave heart, that he resolved to take advantage of the first favorable opportunity and quit it forever.  With him, to resolve has ever been followed by action.  During the latter part of his stay with Mr. Workman, many stories of adventures in the Rocky Mountains reached the ear of the youthful Kentuckian in his Missouri home.  The almost miraculous hyperbole which flavored the narratives were not long in awakening in his breast a strong desire to share in such stirring events.  The venturesome mind at last became inspired.  He determined to go; and, giving his restless spirit full sway, in 1826, joined a party bound for his boyish