prairies and mountains is so well known through his valuable and
interesting reports as not to require recapitulation at our hands. His
life has been one series of rare adventures; while, to the scientific
world, he has proved a valuable acquisition. To the United States
Government his services are inestimable; and, as an explorer, he has
but few equals.

General Kearney at once accepted the noble and generous offers of
these two men, knowing that if he waited until the following day
and then attempted to leave the hill, the consequences would be most
disastrous; for, in so doing, a sanguinary battle must certainly
ensue, with the chances greatly against him. Having made the few
preparations necessary, Kit Carson and Lieutenant Beale waited the
setting in of night, under the cover of which they had both resolved
to succeed in the performance of their mission or die in the attempt.
Having got well under way, and while stealthily crawling over the
rocks and brush, they found their shoes would often, even with the
greatest preventive care being taken, strike against the various
impediments to their progress and make sounds which might lead to
their detection. To avoid this, they took them off and pushed them
under their belts. Slowly, but surely, they evaded the vigilant guard
of the Mexican sentinels, who they found to be mounted and three rows
deep, evidently being determined not to be eluded. So near would they
often come to these Mexican sentinels, that but a few yards would
measure the distance between them and their enemies; yet, with brave
hearts they crept along over the ground foot by foot; they were almost
safe beyond these barriers, when all their hopes came near being
dashed to pieces. This alarm was caused by one of the sentinels riding
up near to where they were, dismounting from his horse and lighting,
by his flint and steel, his cigarretto. On seeing this, Kit Carson,