when, most unfortunately for Kit, the horse of the Indian was suddenly
taken sick and his strength gave out completely. The Indian could go
no further except on foot, and this mode of travel he was unwilling to
adopt, refusing absolutely Carson's request made to him to do so. This
was an unpleasant predicament, especially as the rascal, who formed
the chase, was a dangerous antagonist even to an experienced fighter
and in an honest cause. Goaded on by the fear of punishment for theft,
Carson well knew that he would require all of his own address to
purchase success; for, the rascal would not fail to make a most
desperate resistance. But Kit Carson's courage arose, as the
difficulties of the adventure seemed to multiply. With a farewell word
to his Indian companion, he put spurs to his horse and entered boldly
upon the trail alone, being determined to run every hazard, which the
unhappy accident to the Indian's horse seemed to require at his hands.
The spectacle here presented to the reader, is one which exhibits Kit
Carson in his true character both as a faithful and earnest friend,
and a determined and dangerous adversary. Such is his character. A
life of most singular events has never yet found him false to his
friend or his manhood. While he is not rash in judgment, he is
consummately skillful, quick and brave. Onward he dashed, never for an
instant taking his eagle eye from the tracks which formed his compass.
Think not that such tracks are easily traced. None but a practised and
ready eye can follow them to any advantageous end. To trace them even
at a snail's pace, for an unpractised eye, is like the child putting
pen and ink to paper through his first copy-book of penmanship. Many
and many an awful blot and horribly crooked line will doubtless carry
the simile fully and strikingly to the mind. But the result which
crowned Kit's effort showed conclusively that, notwithstanding he had
followed the trail for over one hundred and thirty miles, he had made
no blots or crooked lines. At the distance of thirty miles from the