Chapter I: Preface

In offering to the public a revised and complete history of the most remarkable of American frontiersmen, we perform a pleasing task. All the attainable circumstances connected with his life, adventures and death are fully set forth, and we offer this in confidence as a reliable authority for the reader.

No one should hesitate to familiarize himself with the exploits of the subject of this volume. They evince a magnanimity and an uprightness of character that is rarely found in one leading so daring and intensely wild a life, and cannot but contribute their share of lustre to the interesting records of the Far West. We regret that his modesty, equally proverbial with his daring, prompted him to withhold many of the exciting incidents of his career from the public.

We have compiled a portion of this work from such official reports of his great skill, indomitable energy, and unfaltering courage as have been communicated by his friend and commander, Col. Fremont, who has invariably awarded to him all the best attributes of manhood, when opportunity afforded. Added to these, our hero had been prevailed upon by a few of his friends to communicate some of the records of the most important passages in his extraordinary and eventful life, which are embodied in this volume.

His has indeed been a life of peculiarly exciting personal hazards, bold adventures, daring coolness, and moral and physical courage, such as has seldom transpired in the world, and we have been greatly impressed, in its preparation, with the necessity for a thorough work of this kind. All are aware that the young, and even matured, often seek for books of wild adventure, and if those of an unhurtful and truthful character are not found, they are apt to betake themselves to trashy and damaging literature. In this view, this work has a purpose which, we trust, will commend it to every family throughout the land.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.
PAGE
Hero of the narrative -- from what race descended -- his fame
-- theater of his exploits-nativity -- his father emigrates to
Missouri -- father's occupation -- Kit's apprenticeship --
dissatisfaction with his trade -- joins an expedition to Santa
Fe -- surgical operation -- Santa Fe, its situation, business,
style of buildings, water, appearance, altitude, scenery,
population -- spends the winter at Taos -- learns the Spanish
language -- joins a party bound to Missouri -- returns to
Santa Fe -- becomes a teamster -- El Paso, its grape culture,
style of living of its people, name -- youth of traveler --
new occupation for the winter -- becomes interpreter for a
trader. 13

CHAPTER II.

Chihuahua, cathedral, statues, public buildings, convent,
mint, trade, age, population -- Carson longs for the prairie
-- changes employment -- returns to Taos -- joins a party of
hunters and trappers to punish the Indians -- result of the
affray -- Indian style of fighting -- method of trapping for
beaver -- beaver signs -- setting the traps -- bait --
fastening the traps -- caution in setting the traps. 21

CHAPTER III.

Carson's qualifications for a trapper -- starts for California
-- desert in the route -- Mohave Indians, non-intercourse with
whites, appearance, dress, ornaments, painting their bodies,
money -- Mission San Gabriel, cattle, horses, sheep, mules,
vineyards, income -- other Missions in California, when
founded, laborers -- Missions of Upper California --
Missionary subscriptions -- management of the fund --
Commandante-general -- the Monks -- golden age of the
Missions. 29

CHAPTER IV.

New Mexico and Arizona -- their desert prairies -- Carson in
California -- traps on the San Joaquin -- the valley of the
Sacramento. 40

CHAPTER V.

The Digger Indians, a description of them, and their mode of
living -- Carson's visit to a ranche in search of a cow -- his
journey to the camp with his prize. 45

CHAPTER VI.

Carson at the Mission San Gabriel -- recovers sixty stolen
horses after a fight with the Indians -- "Los Angelos" --
climate of California. 54

CHAPTER VII.

Visit to a ranche -- likes California, but likes buffalo
better -- leaves Los Angelos, and traps on the Colorado -- in
a tight place, but gets out of it. 66

CHAPTER VIII.

Trapping with Young upon the Colorado -- captures cattle and
horses from the Indians -- goes to Santa Fe, disposes of furs,
and sows his wild oats -- _coureurs des bois_, travels,
dress, habits -- joins Mr. Fitzpatrick trapping among the Nez
Perces -- winters in the New Park -- punishes the Crow Indians
for horse-stealing -- pursues and punishes robbers of a
_cache_ -- flies from a party of sixty Indians. 76

CHAPTER IX.

Hunts with two companions -- saving his money -- trading with
Captain Lee -- pursues an Indian horse-thief and recovers the
horses without assistance -- traps on the Laramie -- fight
with two grizzlies -- description of the grizzly bear, his
food -- traps among the Blackfeet -- unsuccessful attempt to
chastise Blackfeet horse-thieves -- Carson is wounded --
Bridger's pursuit without finding them. 83

CHAPTER X.

Carson, recovered, attends summer rendezvous on Green River --
description of the rendezvous -- camp, traders, charges --
British Fur Company -- the Indians bringing in furs --
appearance of Montreal at a fair for the Indians -- trappers
and traders from the States -- purchases of the trappers,
necessaries, luxuries, Indian wife. 93

CHAPTER XI.

Green River rendezvous again -- the backwoodsman -- Carson the
peace-maker -- Sherman the bully, his punishment -- cause of
the duel -- trapping and parley with the Blackfeet -- on
Humboldt River -- explores the desert -- discovers the river
afterwards named for him. 101

CHAPTER XII.

Dreary prospect on the Humboldt -- Humboldt Lake -- sinks of
other rivers -- overflow of Humboldt Lake and River -- station
at the sink, the traders -- Humboldt Indians -- Fourth of July
on the Humboldt -- Humboldt sinking -- land available for
agriculture on this river. 109

CHAPTER XIII.

Carson on the Humboldt -- sufferings of the return party --
Pyramid Circle -- a horse purchased for food -- buffalo hunt,
meat jerked -- horses stolen by the Indians -- extent of
buffalo ranges -- buffalo upon the Platte in 1857, numbers,
trails crossing the river, animals killed. 116

CHAPTER XIV.

Carson traps with a party of a hundred in the Blackfeet
country -- winter camp among the Crows -- Indian lodges --
winter life of the trappers -- fight with the Blackfeet --
Carson saves the life of a friend, dislodges the Indians from
a rocky fastness, and compels their flight -- no more
molestation -- the rendezvous -- trade with the Navajos
Indians -- fort at Brown's Hole -- goes again against the
Blackfeet, a thousand warriors assemble, retire without an
engagement -- traps on the Salmon River -- among the
Blackfeet, another fight, leaves their country -- Chinook and
Flathead Indians -- process of flattening the head. 126

CHAPTER XV.

Carson continues trapping -- the trade becomes unprofitable --
war of extermination upon the beaver, silk for hats prevents
-- Carson's experience enables him to aid one who should
explore in behalf of science -- knowledge of the country --
comes to Bent's Fort, forsaking trapping -- becomes hunter for
the fort -- his employers -- his business -- reputation as a
hunter -- fulfills the early hopes of him -- knowledge of the
country -- regard shown him, especially by the Indians --
diplomatist between the Sioux and the Camanches -- marriage --
death of his wife -- takes his child to St. Louis for
education -- changes at his old home -- reception at St. Louis
-- meets Col. Fremont -- engages to guide Fremont's exploring
party to the South Pass in the Rocky Mountains. 139

CHAPTER XVI.

Party of explorers starting -- style of encamping -- defense
-- morning in camp -- ford of the Kansas -- India-rubber boat
-- accident from overloading the boat -- Carson ill -- lies in
camp on the prairie. 152

CHAPTER XVII.

Road over rolling prairie -- Pawnee country -- false alarm of
the presence of Indians -- Carson rides to discover the cause
-- coast of the Platte River -- party of trappers from Fort
Laramie -- one of this party joins Fremont's company --
buffalo -- appearance of the herds -- feasting in the camp --
Carson's mishap in the hunt -- Carson, Maxwell, and Fremont
join in the chase. 157

CHAPTER XVIII.

Fremont divides his party -- attempt to lasso a wild horse --
Maxwell prevents an Indian attack -- Indians on a buffalo hunt
-- return laden with meat -- Cheyenne village -- tripod
support for their weapons -- Fremont entertained by the chief
-- tribute to the Great Spirit on taking the pipe -- Jim
Beckwith -- other settlers on the mountain streams -- St.
Vrain's Fort -- Fort Laramie -- Carson's camp -- excitement in
the company -- hostile intentions of the Indians --
preparations for continuing the explorations -- one of the
command dismissed. 167

CHAPTER XIX.

The growth of Artemisia -- fate of the Indian party so much
dreaded -- cache of wagons and other effects -- value of
Carson's aid to Fremont -- propriety of calling this an
exploring party -- ascent to the South Pass -- exploration up
a tributary of Green River -- lake at its source -- continue
to explore in the mountains -- Fremont climbs the highest
summit -- why Carson was not with him. 179

CHAPTER XX.

Party returns to Fort Laramie -- Carson remains -- marriage --
joins Fremont -- a second exploring expedition -- object of
the expedition -- Great Salt Lake -- Fremont's description --
current impressions in regard to the lake -- Beer Springs --
Hot Springs -- Standing Rock. 188

CHAPTER XXI.

A part of Fremont's men return East -- leave Fort Hall, en
route for the valley of the Columbia -- difficulty of finding
camping places -- Carson kills buffalo -- melancholy looking
country -- crossing Snake River -- fish-eating Indians --
refitting equipage at the Dalles -- proposed return route --
spirits of the party -- Tlamath Lake -- sufferings of the
party. 208

CHAPTER XXII.

Fremont's story of the difficulties and exposures of his party
-- hot springs -- explorations for grass -- mountain lake --
central ridge of the Sierra Nevada -- Indians -- talks by
signs -- Indian guide -- encouragement afforded by Carson's
descriptions of California -- provisions low -- snow deep --
animals weak -- Indian harangue -- guide deserts -- Carson
recognizes Sacramento valley and the coast range -- taking the
horses through the snow -- sleds for the baggage -- pine nuts
the food of the Indians -- glorious sunrise. 217

CHAPTER XXIII.

Thunder storm -- view of the Sacramento, and Bay of San
Francisco -- mauls to path the snow -- Carson saves Fremont
from drowning -- rapid river, snow, grass, pines, live oak,
mistletoe -- division of the party -- horses lost -- members
of the party wander, return -- horses killed for food --
country improving in beauty -- arrival at Sutter's Fort --
description of a _cache_. 237

CHAPTER XXIV.

Carson at home in Taos -- decides to commence farming --
preparations -- Fremont requests his service for a third
expedition -- meeting at Bent's Fort -- head-waters -- Great
Salt Lake -- expedition divides -- Horse-Thief Indians -- the
skirmish. 250

CHAPTER XXV.

Arrival at Sutter's Fort -- command of Gen. Castro to leave
the country -- his march against Fremont -- Fremont departs
for Oregon -- Indians instigated by the Mexicans, Fremont's
march against them -- he returns to California -- another
Indian fight. 264

CHAPTER XXVI.

Loss to Fremont's party -- Carson's attack upon Indian village
-- start for the Sacramento -- Fremont's campaign against the
Mexicans -- captures Sonoma -- calls American settlers into
his service -- Gen. Castro leaves San Francisco -- Fremont
garrisons Sutter's Fort -- marches to Monterey -- Commodore
Sloat in possession -- hoists the flag of the United States. 273

CHAPTER XXVII.

Fremont marches on, and occupies Los Angelos -- appointed
Governor of California -- Carson starts for Washington as
bearer of dispatches -- unexpected meeting with Apache Indians
-- meets the expedition of Gen. Kearney -- returns to
California as guide. 280

CHAPTER XXVIII.

March to California -- Mexicans intercept Kearney's troops --
American attack on the Mexican force -- disastrous result --
Carson and Lieut. Beale reach San Diego -- reinforcements sent
by Com. Stockton -- capture of Los Angelos -- Mexicans
surrender to Fremont -- want of harmony in the American camps. 285

CHAPTER XXIX.

Graphic description of the entrance into Monterey, of Fremont,
Carson, and party -- indiscretions of American officers --
Kearney's dispatch to the War Department -- Fremont's
extraordinary ride. 302

CHAPTER XXX.

Fremont visits his Mariposa purchase -- grand hunt and ball --
the fandango -- Carson and Beale ordered to Washington -- kind
reception -- appointed to a lieutenancy -- encounter with
Camanches -- arrival at Los Angelos -- sent to the Tejon Pass
-- again to Washington -- arrival at home -- the warlike
Apaches -- Carson entertains Fremont and suffering explorers. 315

CHAPTER XXXI.

Dreadful sufferings endured by Fremont and party -- error in
engaging a guide -- Fremont's letter to his wife -- horrible
details. 330

CHAPTER XXXII.

Mr. Carvalho's narrative -- cravings of hunger -- disgusting
food considered a delicacy -- Death of Mr. Fuller -- Carson
joins Col. Beale as guide -- the Apache and Camanche Indians. 341

CHAPTER XXXIII.

Carson and Maxwell's settlement -- exploits in defense of his
neighbors -- encounter with the Cheyennes -- rescue. 341

CHAPTER XXXIV.

Grand trapping expedition -- the Mountain Parks -- Pike's Peak
-- Carson drives sheep to California -- San Francisco --
appointed Indian Agent -- habits -- services in New Mexico --
his death at Fort Lyon -- summing up. 369

LIFE OF CHRISTOPHER CARSON.