Contents
Chapter I
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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