enjoying herself. The men exhibit their pleasure in a more boisterous
manner; that is, by occasionally whooping and cracking jokes.
Gambling[18] is carried on under the same roof; and in this both men
and women join as long as their money lasts. Then they make room for
others who are anxious to try their fortunes. This vice is truly of
a national character, and so given to it are these people, that they
will part with anything to support their appetite. To their credit
it can be said, that the New Mexican women indulge but sparingly in
alcoholic liquor; but the men are prone to the intoxicating cup. They
often anticipate the evil effects of drink, and it is not unfrequent
to see a New Mexican assuming the airs of a drunken man after two or
three mouthfuls of "_aqua-diente_." The spirit of the ball is carried
on well into the short hours of night, when all parties depart for
their homes. Intoxication, that curse to all men, is playing havoc
with this innocent amusement of the people, and causing these scenes
to terminate in riot, and often bloodshed, especially when the
jealousy of the white blood is raised at some imagined insult; and
then, as is always the case, the two races come in fierce contact. It
is hoped that by the aid of schools and education these things may
be ameliorated, but they cannot be cured. The mischief is too deeply
rooted.

[Footnote 18: The game most frequently played is _monte_.]

We have thus endeavored to give the reader a view of the people among
whom Kit Carson had determined to become a farmer. But he was not
destined to finish and perfect his plans.

Near the conclusion of the second exploring expedition, and at the
time when Kit Carson took his departure from the party, Col. Fremont