could plainly see that his sympathies had been, perhaps, too greatly
enlisted in behalf of his unfortunate countrywoman, and that his
better judgment had been overcome by giving way to the urgent advice
of others. If it had been a battle where either scientific attainments
or manly courage could have succeeded, he would, doubtless, have been
himself, and carried everything through with success. This is no mere
assertion, for his long and well tried military career warrants us
in this belief. We have the greatest respect for this gentleman, and
consider him a very able man; but, as a biographer, we are called
upon to narrate the facts as they come to us. If he had succeeded,
everything would have been considered as well done; but he failed, and
the cause of his failure is plain.

The party being thus constituted, and no delay having been occasioned
by any unforeseen accident, the party arrived in good season at the
place where the cold-blooded murder had been consummated. Around the
spot, there was strewn, in great confusion, boxes, trunks, pieces of
harness, and many other things, which had belonged to the unfortunate
party, and which the villains did not fancy and carry away with them.
The path taken by these Indians was soon found, and on it, the command
traveled in full chase for twelve days, without seeing the outline of
a savage. Carson describes this as being the most difficult trail to
follow he remembers ever to have undertaken, for the rascally Apaches,
on breaking up their camps, would divide into parties of two and
three, and then scatter over the vast expanse of the prairies to meet
again at some preconcerted place, where they knew water could be had.
In several of these camps the pursuers found remnants of dress and
other articles, that were known to have belonged to Mrs. White. By
these signs, they were led to believe that she still lived. Although
these things would be trifles on ordinary occasions, yet, at the