on every clear day, are sure to meet and delude his eyes. So wonderful
are these deceptions, that often the vision leads one to believe he is
beholding, in the distance, a beautiful city which is located on the
banks of some attractive lake. The outlines of the palaces, spires of
cathedrals, and even the lesser buildings themselves, all surrounded
with trees, bearing luxuriant and green foliage, together, form
an imaginary picture which throws into the background any of the
realities which are the work of man. The shading is oftentimes very
captivating, and on it the traveler can be entertained for hours,
until a change in the rays of light or intervening clouds, or else by
approaching the delusion itself, the magic scene fades away. A mirage
and a prairie on fire, seen by night, the one a delusion, the other a
fearful reality, are two of the grandest sights to be seen in the far
West; we might add, on the American continent.




CHAPTER XIII.

Kit Carson at his Home--The Apache Indians become hostile--An
Expedition sent against them--It is not successful--Another
is organized, with which, Kit Carson goes as Guide--Two Indian
Chiefs captured--Other Incidents of the Trip--Colonel Beall
attempts to force the Indians to give up Mexican Captives--Two
thousand Savages on the Arkansas River--The Visit to them--Kit
Carson emigrates and builds a Ranche at Rayado--Description of
the Valley--The Massacre of a Santa Fé Merchant--His Wife is
made Prisoner--The Expedition sent to rescue her--The Indians
overtaken--Bad Counsel and Management--The commanding Officer