Christopher Carson, Familiarly Known as Kit Carson

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Abbott John Stevens Cabot. Christopher Carson, Familiarly Known as Kit Carson

PREFACE

CHAPTER I. Early Training

CHAPTER II. Life in the Wilderness

CHAPTER III. Among the Trappers

CHAPTER IV. Conflicts with the Indians

CHAPTER V. Marches and Encampments

CHAPTER VI. The Rendezvous

CHAPTER VII. War with the Blackfeet Indians

CHAPTER VIII. Encampments and Battles

CHAPTER IX. The Trapper's Elysium

CHAPTER X. Fremont's Expedition

CHAPTER XI. The Return of the Expedition

CHAPTER XII. Marches and Battles

CHAPTER XIII. The Dispatch Bearer

CHAPTER XIV. The Chivalry of the Wilderness

CHAPTER XV. Recollections of Mountain Life

CHAPTER XVI. Recollections of Mountain Life

CHAPTER XVII. Frontier Desperadoes and Savage Ferocity

CHAPTER XVIII. The Last Days of Kit Carson

CHAPTER XIX. The Last Hours of Kit Carson

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It is a prominent object of this volume to bring to light the wild adventures of the pioneers of this continent, in the solitudes of the mountains, the prairies and the forests; often amidst hostile Indians, and far away from the restraints and protection of civilization. This strange, weird-like life is rapidly passing away, before the progress of population, railroads and steamboats. But it is desirable that the memory of it should not drift into oblivion. I think that almost every reader of this narrative will be somewhat surprised, in its development of the character of Christopher Carson. With energy and fearlessness never surpassed, he was certainly one of the most gentle, upright, and lovable of men. It is strange that the wilderness could have formed so estimable a character. America will not permit the virtues of so illustrious a son to be forgotten.

JOHN S.C. ABBOTT.

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Captain Pike, upon his return from his exploring tour, brought back quite glowing accounts of Santa Fe and its surroundings. It was a long and perilous journey from Missouri. The party was all strongly armed, with their goods borne in packs upon mules and horses. They expected to live almost entirely upon the game they could shoot by the way. Kit, purely from the love of adventure, applied to join them. Gladly was he received. Though but a boy of eighteen, his stable character, his vigorous strength, and his training in all the mysteries of frontier life, rendered him an invaluable acquisition.

The perils to which they were exposed may be inferred from the fate which some traders encountered soon after Kit Carson's party had accomplished the journey. There were twelve traders returning from Santa Fe. To avoid the Indians they took an extreme southern route. Day after day they toiled along, encountering no savages. It was December, and in that climate mild and serene. A caravan of twenty horses or mules travelling in single file, leaves a trail behind which can easily be followed.

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