Arrival at Bent's Fort--Carson goes to Taos and Decides to Become a
Farmer--Arrival of a Messenger from Fremont--Carson and Owens Repair
Again to Bent's Fort--Carson Engages as Guide for Fremont's Third
Exploring Expedition--On the Great Divide--Division of the Parties--The
Journey Across the Desert--A Singular Meeting--Aboriginal Horse Thieves.
After a tedious journey of many miles, the exploring party reached
Bent's Fort July 2, 1844. The labors were considered finished, and
bidding his old commander goodbye, Carson made his way to Taos, where he
had a most happy reunion with his family. He was cordially welcomed by
hundreds of old friends who had learned years before the rare courage
and worth of the man, and who were proud to possess such a neighbor.
Carson had led a wild and adventurous career, and, after talking much
with those in whom he had confidence, he decided to adopt the life of
a farmer. In this conclusion he was joined by Richard Owens, an old
mountaineer and an intimate associate for many years.
It did not take them long to fix upon a desirable site, and, in the
spring of 1845, stock and animals were bought, building commenced
and everything was fairly under way. At the moment when the scarred
mountaineers were counting with pleasure on the complete arrangements
made, an express messenger galloped up and handed Carson a letter.
The contents were of an important character. Captain Fremont had written
to notify Kit that he had started on his third exploring expedition,
and, inasmuch as the mountaineer had given his promise months before,
that in the event of doing so, he (Carson) would serve again as guide,
Fremont reminded him that he should hold him to his pledge and would
expect to meet him at Bent's Fort on his arrival there.
It was a considerable pecuniary sacrifice for Carson to keep his
promise, but he never failed to do so, when it was not absolutely
impossible. Besides, it is fair to presume that the old life could never
lose its charm for one of his disposition, and, contrasted with the
humdrum existence of a farmer, he could not have been much grieved over
the reception of the message. But it must be stated that both Owens and
Carson sold out at much loss, and, putting their affairs in the best
shape possible, bade families and friends goodbye, mounted their horses
and set out for Bent's Fort which was safely reached some days later.
There they were warmly welcomed by Fremont, who had entered upon his
third exploring expedition, the last under the authority of the United
States government, though two others were afterwards undertaken on his
own responsibility. As was to be supposed, Fremont taking lessons from
his previous experiences, was much better equipped for his third than
for either of the other preceding expeditions. He had about fifty men,
among them in addition to Carson and Owens, being Maxwell, the famous
mountaineer, Walker who was a member of Captain Bonneville's expedition
to the Columbia, besides other hunters and scouts less known but not
less skilful and daring than they.
We have already given tolerably full accounts of the two exploring
expeditions of Fremont, and it is not our purpose to narrate the
particulars of the one which followed. There is a sameness in many of
the occurrences but the third time the Pathfinder penetrated into the
recesses of the far west, he became involved in a series of experiences
totally different from the preceding and deeply interesting of
themselves.
Several months were spent on what may be called the Great Divide--that
is the region where the waters flow east or west to either ocean, and
in the autumn of the year they encamped on the southwestern shore of the
Great Salt Lake.
Before them stretched a vast arid plain to which the trappers referred
with a shudder of terror. They had heard of it many a time and the
common legend was that no man white or Indian who had ever attempted to
cross it, succeeded. These stories, however, added to the eagerness of
Captain Fremont to explore its secrets, and, when he proposed it to
his men, they expressed as strong a desire as he to do so. They felt a
mutual trust and confidence impossible under other circumstances.
Some seventy miles away, a mountain peak held out the promise of wood
and water. Four men under the guidance of an Indian, were sent forward
to explore the place, and, in the event of finding water, they were
instructed to apprise the watchful commander by means of the smoke from
a camp fire.
When the second day closed without sight of the signal, Fremont became
so uneasy that he moved forward with the rest of the party and travelled
all night. At daylight, one of the smaller party approached them. He
said that running water and grass existed at the mountains, but their
Indian guide was wholly ignorant of the country. This was good news and
the next day the party reached the stream.
Shortly after, the expedition was divided into two parties, Walker (of
whom mention has been made), taking charge of the larger while Fremont
led the smaller. It was the purpose of Walker to pass around to the
foot of the Sierra Nevada, by a route with which he was familiar, while
Fremont with Carson and less than a dozen men, among whom were several
Delaware Indians, headed straight across the desert.
While advancing over this arid tract, they detected a volume of smoke
rising from a ravine. Cautiously approaching, they discovered an Indian
warrior perfectly nude, standing by a fire and watching an earthen pot
in which something was simmering. He was greatly frightened and offered
them his food. They smiled, treated him kindly and gave him several
trifling presents which he received with childish delight.
One of the singular incidents of the journey took place while the
exploring party were making their way along the foot of the Sierras.
Passing around a point on the lake shore, they unexpectedly met a dozen
Indian warriors. They were walking directly behind each other in what is
known as Indian file, their heads bent forward and their eyes fixed on
the ground. The whites turned aside to allow them to pass and naturally
watched them with much interest. The Indians neither halted, deviated
from the path, spoke nor looked up, but walked straight forward with
their silent, measured tread until they disappeared. The explorers did
not interfere with them or speak to them. Thus the representatives of
the different races encountered.
The division under charge of Walker joined Fremont at the appointed
rendezvous, but winter was upon them, the mountains were sure to be
choked with snow and no one was familiar with the route. As a matter of
prudence, therefore, Walker was directed to continue southward with the
principal party, while Fremont and a few picked men pushed on directly
through the Sierras to Sutter's Fort, with a view of obtaining the
necessary animals and supplies.
The smaller division was advancing as best it could, when a number of
plainly marked trails were observed showing they were in the vicinity of
some of the most notorious horse thieves in the world. They were daring
and skilful, went long distances, plundered ranches and hastened to the
mountains with their booty. The exasperated Californians often organized
and went in pursuit, but it was rare they overtook the dusky thieves,
and when they succeeded in doing so, were invariably defeated.
This sort of people were undesirable neighbors, and Fremont sent forward
two Delawares and two mountaineers to make an investigation. They
had not gone far, when the company following them found the signs so
threatening that they were alarmed for the scouts. A short distance
further they came upon such an excellent camping site that they decided
to halt for the night.