proceeded far in that direction, before he found himself encamped on a
small stream which empties into the lake, nearly opposite to the place
where his three men were killed. The distance of each day's progress
had been carefully reckoned and noted by the party. Upon their minds
there was still resting a sadness, which, their leader saw, was only
to be effaced by a satisfactory revenge, and that they were eager to
obtain it before quitting the country. Perhaps, also, their commanding
officer thought it best, while the opportunity offered, for the
benefit of his countrymen, whom he felt sure would some day possess
this territory, to impress these savages with the power and bravery of
the white men. Whatever was the object to be gained, it matters not
in relating the particulars. The next morning he sent Kit Carson on
ahead, with ten chosen men, giving him orders to the effect that if he
discovered a large village of Indians, which was the general surmise,
without being himself seen, he was to send back word; when he
(Fremont) would hasten on with reinforcements, in order to make the
assault. If it should happen that the Indians were the first to be
apprised of his near approach, then, without delay, Carson was to
engage them as he thought best. Acting under these instructions, Kit
Carson, with his detail of men, set out, and fortunately soon found
a fresh trail that led directly to where the savages had established
their village. This Indian village numbered fifty lodges; and, to
each wigwam, the mountaineers estimated three braves, as this is the
complement of men who live in one of these huts on the prairies and in
the Rocky Mountains; thus making the force of the Indians to be in the
neighborhood of one hundred and fifty. From the commotion noticed in
the village, it was evident to all present that the tribe had become
aware of danger, and that there was no time to be lost in sending back
the desired information. Kit Carson, notwithstanding the strength
of his enemies, determined to hazard an attack; and, after a brief