friendship. The Indians wished to come into his camp, but this
privilege he would by no means grant to them. He posted his men and
selected a place so that he himself could talk, and at the same time
let them see that if the least hostile demonstration was made by their
side, it would be answered by a volley of bullets from the rifles of
the white men. Kit Carson harangued them and informed them that he
knew of the murders they had committed on his people during the past
year. He told them that they bore a treacherous character and could
not be treated as friends, and wound up his discourse by adding, that
he would not allow himself to be deceived, for he knew that their only
object in gaining admission into his camp was to repeat their bloody
acts. He now gave them a limited period of time in which to be off,
at the expiration of which, several lounged about, apparently doubting
his words. He now gave the order to fire. In consequence, a few shots
were aimed at them, which killed one and wounded three or four others.
This had the tendency to hurry the movements of the remainder, who
retired from the dangerous proximity to his camp. This was a case
which required some nerve and great experience in the commander of the
little party. Nothing but the personal courage and promptness of Kit
Carson saved his command. The success of fifteen men against three
hundred Indians in this manner, is chiefly due to their commander.

The party proceeded on their journey, but soon were troubled for food.
Having used up all the game they could find, they were obliged to kill
two mules, on which they lived until they arrived at Los Angelos. Kit
Carson, finding that the officers to whom he was ordered to deliver
his dispatches were at Monterey, journeyed thither, and having reached
that town in safety, gave the documents to Col. Mason, then of the
First Regiment of United States dragoons, who was in command. Obeying
orders, Kit Carson, now an acting lieutenant in the United States