In the following April Kit Carson was employed as hunter to accompany Bent and St. Vrain’s train of wagons, while on their journey to the United States.  On arriving at Walnut Creek, which is about two-thirds of the distance across the Plains from Santa Fe, Kit and his companions came upon the encampment of Captain Cook, belonging to the United States Army—­who was in command of four companies of United States Dragoons.  Captain Cook informed Carson’s party that in his rear was traveling a train of wagons belonging to General Armijo, a wealthy Mexican.

For the purpose of insuring protection to this richly-freighted caravan while passing through an Indian country, the Mexican wagon-master in charge, had hired one hundred men.  There were rumors, currently reported at that time and believed, that a large body of Texians were waiting on the road to plunder and murder this wagon party, and thus retaliate the treatment Armijo had been guilty of in the case of the “famous Muir Prisoners;” but, in order that this should not happen in Territory belonging to the United States, the War Department had ordered Captain Cook and the dragoons to guard the property as far as the fording of the Arkansas River, which was then the boundary line between the two countries.  The Mexicans had become alarmed for fear they might be attacked on parting with the United States soldiers; so, on meeting with Kit Carson, who was well known to them, they offered three hundred dollars if he would carry a letter to Armijo who was then Governor of New Mexico, and lived at Santa Fe.  This letter apprised the General of the danger to which his men and property were exposed and asked for assistance to be immediately sent to them.  Carson accepted the offer, and in company with Owens, another mountaineer, he set out on his express ride.  In the course of a few days he reached Bent’s Fort, where his companion concluded not to go on with him.  At the Fort, Kit Carson was informed that the Utah Indians, then hostile, were scattered along his intended route.  He was not, however, turned from his duty by this danger, but he resumed his journey immediately.  At this last-named place his friend, Mr. Bent, kindly furnished him with a fleet and magnificent horse, which he led, so that, should he find himself in peril, he might mount this fresh animal and make his escape.

By watching for signs and being continually on the alert, Kit Carson discovered the Indians and their village without exposing his own person to view.  He immediately secreted himself in an out-of-the-way place and remained until the coming on of darkness; when, he passed safely by the camp of the savages.  In the course of a few days he reached Taos and handed his dispatch to the Alcalde of the town to be forwarded to Santa Fe.  As had been previously agreed upon, he waited here for an answer with which he was to return.  At Taos Carson was informed that Armijo had already sent out one hundred Mexican