Chapter XVII (3)

It is the opinion of Kit Carson, that Indians should not be allowed to come, when it pleases them, into the settlements. Every visit which they thus make is detrimental to them in many ways. He thinks that the time thus spent could be better employed in hunting or otherwise providing for the wants of their families. In the towns of the frontiers they do nothing but beg and learn the vices of the white man, which, added to their own, make them as dangerous and wicked as men can be. In lieu thereof, he advises that mission and agency houses should be established in their midst, when supplies should be furnished to them in a time of need. As matters stand now, the Indians, during a severe winter, or from some unforeseen accident, are liable to become suddenly destitute. They are then compelled either to starve or to make inroads upon the property of the settlers on the frontiers. Besides his Indian friends, Kit Carson is surrounded by a host of Mexicans and Americans, to whom he has greatly endeared himself. To his children Kit Carson is a kind and indulgent father, and to best illustrate his self-sacrificing attachment for them, it is only necessary to relate one striking incident of its proof. A few years since, he was returning to Taos from Rayado, whither he had been on a visit in company with his wife, two children, and two servants (a Mexican man and woman). The party had completed the first half of their journey, and were jogging along over a tract of prairie land that was of considerable extent, when suddenly, Kit Carson discovered, far off, a band of about forty Indians. Being so exposed, he at once concluded that he also had been seen, for while he was looking, he thought he could see the speed of their riding animals increase. The glaring rays of the sun impeded his view, so that he could not discern at such a distance, either from their dress or appearance, to what tribe they belonged. He was in a section of country that was frequently visited by the marauding Camanches, and, as their signs had been recently seen in the neighborhood, he made up his mind that it was a band of this tribe that he now saw. No time was to be lost; so, dismounting from the very fleet horse he was riding, he placed in his saddle his wife and eldest child. To the first named he gave directions "to follow on the trail that led to Taos, and let the bridle reins be a little slack, so that the horse would know what was expected of him, when he would travel at the top of his speed. He said that he intended to ride towards the Indians and engage them at first in a parley, and then if necessary offer them a single-handed combat. At any rate, before they could manage to kill him, she would have sufficient time to lessen her danger. As to the remainder of the party he added, there was no alternative but for them to take their chances for life or death." Bidding his wife and boy good bye, with one heart-rending look, he turned to face his apparent doom. As Kit approached the Indians, they began to call out his name. As soon as he heard this, he aroused himself from the agonizing frame of mind he had been laboring under after parting with all that was so dear to him, and as he had thought, for the last time. To his joy, Kit quickly recognized before him, the familiar faces of some of his Indian friends. They had come, as they afterwards informed him, to see him and his helpless charge safely lodged in their home, for they had become aware that he was exposed to great danger. While the friends were talking, some of the Indians began to laugh, which caused Carson to turn his head and look in the direction they were gazing. To his astonishment and disgust, he saw (the truth was too evident to be mistaken) that the cowardly Mexican man had, on his leaving, pulled off from her horse Mrs. Carson and her child, and having mounted the animal himself, was making good his escape. The Indians wished to keep up the ruse, pursue, Attempt to overtake and punish the poltroon; but Kit Carson was too thankful that matters had gone so well; therefore, he said that he felt that he could excuse such dastardly conduct, and requested the Indians to let it pass unnoticed. It is hardly necessary to add that with his faithful body-guard who had come to watch over him from feelings of earnest respect, gratitude and affectionate regard, the agent accomplished the remainder of his journey in perfect safety.

Several years have elapsed, as the reader can easily estimate, since Kit Carson met, while traveling home from one of his expeditions, the Mormon delegate to Congress who had first informed him of his appointment as Indian agent. During this length of time Kit Carson has retained this office and rendered satisfactory service. The tract of country over which the Indians roam who are especially connected with his agency, is about equal in its area, to any one of the larger States in the American Confederacy. The Indians who are under his jurisdiction, are large and powerful bands of the Apaches and Utahs; but, as we have said before, neighboring tribes freely seek his counsel, aid and protectorate power as they may require it, and they all, from habit, consider that they have a claim on his services. To best illustrate this, we have but to cite one instance of which a thousand similar exist. Two Indian women were taken prisoners by the red men of the plains from a band of savages not under the immediate control of Kit Carson, who inhabited a section of New Mexico. These squaws, while captives, were subjected to the severest labor and the most brutal punishment which Indian ingenuity could invent. For one year they submitted without exhibiting any outward symptoms by which their condition could be known; but, at the end of that time, they resolved to escape, even if they were killed in the attempt. Watching a favorable opportunity, they started, and fortunately, so well laid their plans, that, for some time, they were not missed. On their prolonged absence being noticed, a party who were well mounted commenced the pursuit, no doubt believing that, to recapture the runaways would be an easy task. The squaws however eluded these horsemen, and, on foot, made their way to Kit Carson's house at Taos. By him they were hospitably received, entertained and amply provided for. They had traveled on foot for hundreds of miles, and, while en route, had lived on roots and such other food as fell in their way. In their reduced condition, it required kindness, proper diet and rest to resuscitate them. In the comfortable house to which they had come, these things were at hand, and were freely given, without hoping for the rewards which man can give. The pursuers of these unfortunate Indian women followed on their trail, which, with native instinct, the squaws had made as indistinct as possible, until they found themselves at a Mexican settlement, within the boundaries of New Mexico. Here they were informed that their late captives were safe under the protection of Kit Carson. This name acted like magic in settling their future mode of proceedings. They needed nothing more to bid them face about and retrace their steps to their own homes. The squaws, in the household of Kit Carson, rapidly recruited, and when the time came for them to be sent to their own tribe, they went away rejoicing at their good fortune; first in making their escape, and second, because they had been so humanely treated by a man whose name they had often heard, but never before seen. As we have said before and with truth, this is but one example out of thousands which have passed by unheralded since Kit Carson first commenced his official career as Indian agent.

The duties of an agent are not by Kit Carson confined to the mere letter of the law. His is a heart that could not be happy were he not daily doing some equitable and humane act to ameliorate the condition of the Indian race. The strict duties of an Indian agent require that he should receive and disburse certain sums of money in purchasing such minor articles as the tribes over which he is placed may require. He has to give monthly and quarterly reports to the General Government and the superintendent of the Territory he is in, of the condition, crimes, practices, habits, intentions, health, and such other things as pertain to the economy of his charge. How seldom is this knowledge properly attained and how often are these things intrusted to clerks while the principal receives the emoluments of his office! Of the details which make the Indian happy or miserable, he, too frequently, knows but little about, except from routine. The agent, if he be a fit man, and the Indian is by no means slow in forming his estimate of the person he has to deal with, is received into the confidence of the tribes, when, after sufficient trial, he has been proved worthy of their esteem and friendship. When once he has gained a foothold in the affections of the savages, his task assumes the condition of pleasure rather than severe labor; but, if he is ignorant of the minute workings of his business, he is generally imposed upon and always disliked to such a degree that no honorable man would retain such a position longer than to find out his unpopularity and the causes of it. The Indian agent, to perform his duties well, must be continually at his agency house, or among the Indians, in order that he may personally attend to their wants and protect them from the mercenary visits and contact of outside intruders, who are continually watching their opportunity, like hungry wolves, to prey upon and cheat them in every shape and form. In fine, he is to assist the superintendent in managing the entire Indian family. .

The business of Indian agent, which he strictly and conscientiously attends to, keeps Kit Carson employed during the most of his time; yet, as often as once each year, he manages affairs so that he can spend a few weeks in the exciting scenes of the chase. On these excursions, which are eagerly looked forward to by his friends, he is accompanied by the crack shots of the country, including his Indian and Mexican friends. On horseback and on open prairies, Kit Carson is indisputably the greatest hunter in America, if indeed he is not the greatest hunter now living. He has killed, in the brief space of three consecutive hours, with his rifle, twenty-two antelope, at a time when the game was so scarce, that other men who followed the business of hunting under pay, and were no ordinary shots, thought themselves doing well to bring down six of the same animals. It gives the greatest satisfaction to the people of New Mexico that Kit Carson is, from time to time, reinstalled in his office of Indian agent, notwithstanding the other great changes that have been and are continually making in their politics. His fitness for the position which he holds cannot be doubted, when the good already accomplished by his efforts is considered. No one would be so loath to part with his services as the Indians themselves. His influence reaches far beyond his own tribes, and is felt by the Cheyennes, Arrapahoes, and Kiowas, who are fast becoming very chary about visiting, with hostile intentions, the settlements of northern New Mexico.

Kit Carson is still in the full vigor of his manhood, and is capable of undergoing almost any amount of privation and hardship; therefore we infer that to the country he has adopted; he will be spared many years to come, as one of its most valuable citizens. And when the time arrives for his final exit from this stage of life, he will bequeath to his family and friends a spotless character and an enviable reputation.

FINIS.

* * * * *

RECENTLY ISSUED,

BY W.R.C. CLARK & CO.,

348 BROADWAY,

APPLETON'S BUILDING.

GEORGE MELVILLE,

AN AMERICAN NOVEL.

One handsome 12mo. volume, nearly 400 pages. Price $1.00

CONTENTS.

I. George Melville and Thomas F. Griswold determine that "Old Sassy" had better look out.

II. Horses _versus_ Thorn-Apple Tree Limbs.

III. "Wait for the Wagon."

IV. The Boyhood Days of George Melville.

V. The Excursion Party for Niagara--Astor House--James Mordaunt--The Plot.

VI. Aurora--Cayuga Lake--The Pic-nic.

VII. Clara Edgemonte's Mistake.

VIII. Melville's and Griswold's Tour--A true Hand and firm Seat always come in Play.

IX. Sunset at Niagara--James Mordaunt's Declaration.

X. The Morning Walk--An Old Friend in Duplicate.

XI. Hon. B.F. Mortimer--H.B. Edgemonte, Esq.,--James Mordaunt, Esq.--Frederick Mortimer--Thomas F. Griswold--George Melville--Mrs. Mortimer--Mrs. Edgemonte--Bell Mortimer--Clara Edgemonte--The Breakfast Party.

XII. Bob Shank--The Fire--The Cave.

XIII. Bell hates the Rain, but finally has no Objection to it--Miss Blackwood's Party.

XIV. Various Things material both to the Story and the Reader--The Catfish Railroad Scheme.

XV. Ahead--Back again.

XVI. Who is Uncle Sam--Syracuse--Camillus--Junction--Auburn--A New York Lawyer obtains a Case (a hard one).

XVII. The Dinner Party at Aurora--The Telegram--Mrs. Tryon's Glance.

XVIII. Broadway, New York--James Mordaunt, Esq., at his Office in Wall street--Is he a Married Man?

XIX. Rev. John Furnace--The Funeral--The Lawsuit--The Catfish Railroad Stock at a Premium.

XX. Arrival of the Liverpool Steamer--New York Firemen--Griswold's Heroism--The Catfish Railroad Stock falling--Trouble.

XXI. Short but Interesting.

XXII. A Sail on Cayuga Lake before Breakfast--Thermometer thirty Degrees below Zero--Two Miles a Minute under a fair Wind--Bell Mortimer takes an Observation--The Surprise not a Surprise--The Race Home--The Ice-Boat too much for the Horses--The Runaway--The Rescue,--Love told without Words--Death cheated, of his Prey.

XXIII. Plans for the Future.

XXIV. Commencement Day at Hamilton College--William Hastings--How a Clerk in New York City may obtain a Partnership.

XXV. A Friend in Need.

XXVI. New York City Corporation Counsel--All Marriage Notices not Agreeable.

XXVII. Sarah E. Graham's call at Mordaunt's Law Office--A Cool Scene--James Mordaunt in trouble.

XXVIII. George Melville under a Cloud.

XXIX. The Metropolis of America never sleeps--Scene in Twenty-Third street late at Night.

XXX. An Arrest--A Promise made, and a Promise given.

XXXI. A Station on the N.Y. Central Railroad--Car Manufactory--Reception of a Convict at the Auburn State Prison--The Model Prison of the United States.

XXXII. More about the Prison.

XXXIII. James Mordaunt, Esq., triumphs.

XXXIV. Mr. M----l, Chief of the New York Police, puts his Private Seal upon a Coffin in Greenwood Cemetery.

XXXV. A Council of War.

XXXVI. A Smash-up in Broadway, N.Y.--The New York Hospital--The New York Press--Sarah E. Graham a Lunatic.

XXXVII. Bell and Charger.

XXXVIII. An Ante-Breakfast Ride--The Homestead of an American Statesman.

XXXIX. Fort-Hill Cemetery--"Who is there to Mourn for Logan?"--How to carry on a Correspondence with a Convict--Distant View of the Auburn State Prison--Bell Mortimer in her Sanctum.

XL. A Change in the progress of Events foreshadowed--Exercise of Wits--The Statesman proves too much for the Lawyer.

XLI. An Alumnus of Hamilton College, _nolens volens_, becomes a Skillful Mechanic.

XLII. A Ray of Hope.

XLIII. Woman's Rights--The State Lunatic Asylum at Utica, Oneida County, N.Y.

XLIV. The Arrest--Interview with the Governor of the Empire State.

XLV. A Mountain in Massachusetts--The Home of an ex-President of the United States.

XLVI. Another Telegram--Early rising sometimes proves very agreeable.

XLVII. Bell Mortimer makes the Acquaintance of Sarah E. Graham.

XLVIII. The Homestead of an American Mechanic--A Proposition.

XLIX. Trial of the Action "Wilcox against Mordaunt"--Thomas F. Griswold, Esquire, addresses the Jury--The Utica Asylum again--One of the Biters bitten.

L. Death of a New York City Policeman--A Trial, Sentence, and Execution--Ought Governors hold the Pardoning Power?

LI. The Island Martha's Vineyard.

LII. Sunday-school in Prison--The Chaplain and his Convict Congregation--A Convict who had well earned his position reflects--Two Deaths.

LIII. A Wedding--Wedding Tour--Conclusion.

NOTICES OF THE PRESS.

From the _Boston Traveller_.

"The language is chaste and dignified, and varies to suit the different circumstances. A high-toned integrity, clear common sense, and a true representation of life in its real and sound aspects, characterize the work."

"One of the best novels of the day."

From the _New York Leader_.

"A work of much power, possessing vastly more of that reality, which makes the real charm of a romance, than anything which has preceded it this season."

From the _Cincinnati Commercial_.

"A well written volume, spicy with interest, and quite above the every day average of the flood of works of fiction."

From the _Chambersburg (Pa.) Independent_.

"We submit the work to the perusal of our readers, as one replete with interest and instruction."

From the _Ladies' Visitor_.

"'GEORGE MELVILLE,' coming just now, will be even more certain of a warm reception than if he only swelled the crowd of claimants for the popular favor."

From the _Albany (N.Y.) Knickerbocker_.

"The style is dashing, and the scenes and incidents in the highest degree interesting. We commend 'GEORGE MELVILLE' to our readers."

From the _Morristown (N.J.) Banner_.

"The main features have evidently been actual occurrences, and are skillfully worked together by a talented writer, who, with an eye to its good moral influence has made a book which is at once pleasing, interesting and exciting."

From the _Constitution_ (Middletown, Ct.)

"A book of great interest and spirit, and one that brings out, in a strong light, some peculiar traits of American character."

From the _Critic_.

"An unusually well-written and interesting book."

From the _Boston Saturday Evening Gazette_.

"There is a deal of promise in a new novel just out called 'GEORGE MELVILLE.' It is a dashing, clever, well-written story; its characters talk with animation and plenty of animal spirit, and 'the plot converges to an issue' according to the most approved rules. It has the American Stamp, and imitates no transatlantic author--a merit worth noticing."

From the _New York Sunday Times_.

"Its style is graphic, careless, romping and fanciful, and it is really captivating."

From the _Albany Evening Journal_.

"The style is lively; the dialogues frequent and effective; the graver scenes well drawn and the book wholly what it purports to be--an American Novel, characteristically descriptive of American Life."

From the _New York Sunday Mercury_.

"A book that will repay the reader for the time spent in its perusal. A pleasant companion for Saratoga, or the sea-shore."

From the _Educational Herald_.

"Its descriptions and pictures are very graphic."

The following notice from the _Toledo Blade_, is so just and true that we copy it entire:

"We had almost said, after reading this story, 'The good old days of Cooper have come again.' It is really refreshing, in the midst of so much literary pretension, to meet with something of real merit.

"The conception of the plot is admirable--the characters finely portrayed--the scenery true to nature and the interest maintained throughout. Its life-like pictures, as well as the style of its author must commend it to every one who feels any interest in the revival of a genuine, home-bred American literature. When such tales as this reflecting on our own manners, scenery, morals and laws can be produced, there is little reason that our fiction-writers should be superseded by foreigners. A tale of equal merit with this, so neatly told, so entirely American, has not of late been issued from the press.

"The scenery of Central New York--a sail on the placid waters of Cayuga Lake in summer, and across the ice which covers it in winter--the picturesque views around Auburn and the grand sublimity of Niagara, are alike portrayed in vivid characters.

"Character is as well delineated as scenery. Dark and light shades--gay and corrupt life--vanity, vice and virtue, all perform their appropriate parts, in making up a goodly number of men and women, who once fairly introduced, carry themselves very naturally through plot and counter plot, to the close of a story which aptly illustrates the elements composing American society, in its various phases. There are many such victims as Melville, and many such true hearted girls as Bell Mortimer.

"We do not pretend that the writer has attained perfection. The book has faults--but these may be overcome by a writer of so much real ability, and we hope his pen will not be allowed to remain idle.

"GEORGE MELVILLE is a pleasant story--written in a chaste style with a good moral, and we cheerfully commend it to our readers."

*** Copies sent by mail to any part of the United States, pre-paid, upon receipt of price.

* * * * *

A BEAUTIFUL GIFT BOOK.

SHELLS

FROM THE

SEA-SHORE OF LIFE,

GATHERED BY

PEARLY SHELLEY.

* * * * *

This work comprises the lighter and more sketchy productions of one of the most original and distinguished writers in the country. The "Shells" are symbolical of the various lights and shades of Life--scattered over its surface or lying deep beneath its ocean. They embody a series of writings which may be called

THE PARABLES OF THE WORLD!

Every one of the series contains a moral which the Christian as well as the man of the world may bring home to his observation or experience. They sound the depths of the heart in the womanly as well as in the manly breast.

Some of these brilliant sketches symbolized in Shells, were originally published in many of the first-class newspaper and periodical press; while others, again, have been republished extensively throughout the country. They are now "gathered" emphatically not only from the "Sea-Shore of Life," by the Author, but from the mass of journals through which they have been scattered broadcast far and wide.

The "Shells" are published in a style which makes them, in their typographical and external dress, equal to their intellectual and moral interest, and renders them one of the most beautiful and appropriate presents that can be selected for the holidays.

One vol., 12mo., with twenty-one original
illustrations, cloth, $0 75
Cloth, full gilt, 1 25

W.R.C. CLARK & CO., PUBLISHERS,

348 BROADWAY, NEW YORK.

(Appletons' Building.)

* * * * *

ALSO, LATELY ISSUED, THE FOLLOWING

NEW MUSIC.

SISTER SPIRIT, STAY NOT HERE--SONG.

Price Fifty Cents.

WORDS AND MUSIC BY C. HATCH SMITH.

From the _New York Day Book_.

"There is a tenderness and a pathos, both in the words and the music, so admirably adapted to each other, that it cannot fail to please all who may hear it."

* * * * *

HO! THE DEEP--SONG.

BY ALLEN N. LEET, JR.

Price Twenty-five Cents.

A very inspiriting song, well adapted to the piano. The novelty of the melody has already made it very popular.

* * * * *

SPIRIT OF THE ISLAND HOME--SONG.

Price Twenty-Five Cents.

WORDS AND MUSIC BY C. HATCH SMITH.

A new and very beautiful song. Its tones bring the murmur of the waves to our ears. The imitation of the motion of the sea is admirable.

Either of the above pieces will be sent by mail, post-paid, upon receipt of the price, or all of them on receipt of 75 cents.

W.R.C. CLARK & CO., PUBLISHERS,

No. 348 Broadway, New York.