Never, throughout his eventful career, had Kit Carson refused to offer
his services in the cause of a countryman who stood in need of them;
and now, when the first time came that he felt it necessary to make
the call for assistance, he could not understand why two valuable days
were allowed to pass, by an officer who could have aided him, without
some notice being taken of his urgent requisition. It is true that by
some, especially those who are not acquainted with the character of
Kit Carson, he is regarded as being ever anxious for an Indian fight;
but, had this been the case, he would have long since paid the forfeit
with his life. To contradict such a statement, we have but to appeal
to the reader of this narrative, and ask him to bear testimony of the
marked discretion that has so far coupled itself with Kit Carson's
fame. An amusing incident which came under the eye of the writer is to
the point.

In the early part of the so-called gold "fever" of California, when
parties were organizing in the city of New York, to proceed overland
to the Pacific, we chanced to be present at a meeting held by one of
the companies. As most of those present were entirely unacquainted
with the country to be passed over, and as they were anxious to place
themselves in a safe position, some one proposed that Kit Carson
should be employed as a guide, provided his services could be had.
This was ruled out. The amusing part of this incident consists in the
reason which governed this judgment. It was on account of the fear
that he might lead them out of their way in order to engage in some
bloody Indian fight, it being generally represented and believed that
he was sanguinarily inclined. Cheap literature had so ferociously made
the man, that he, of all men most experienced, could not be trusted,
showing thereby how little had been known of the real Kit Carson.