CHAPTER XXXIV.
In San Francisco--The Return Homeward--The Mormon Delegate Gives Carson Some Interesting Information--Carson's First Stirring Duties as Indian Agent--The Affection of the Red Men for Father Kit.
Kit Carson's old friend, Maxwell, who had been his companion in somany stirring adventures, joined him in San Francisco, whose marvellousgrowth even at that remote day was a continual surprise and delight. Asthe two veteran mountaineers made their way through the streets, wherebut a few years before all was a wild, untrodden wilderness, they pausedand indulged in many wondering exclamations as though they were a coupleof countrymen visiting the metropolis for the first time in their lives.
The couple concluded to make their way home by the southern route,passing in the neighborhood of the Gila; but the distance could beshortened so much by taking the steamer to Los Angeles that Maxwelldecided to adopt that course. When he asked Carson to join him themountaineer shook his head.
"I got enough of that in 1846," he said, alluding to his brief voyage,when serving under Fremont in California, at the beginning of theMexican war; "I never was so sick in all my life."
"You ain't likely to be sick again," plead Maxwell; "and, if you are,it don't last long. You'll save two or three weeks in time and enjoyyourself much more."
But it was no use: Carson said he never would venture upon salt wateragain, and he would rather ride a thousand miles on the back of a mulethan to sail a hundred in a ship. Accordingly, the party separated forthe time and Maxwell took steamer to Los Angeles, where he arrived fullytwo weeks in advance of Carson, who rode into the quaint old town on theback of a somewhat antiquated mule.
They were soon ready for their long ride, when they struck a leisurelypace and all went well until they reached the Gila. There they entereda region which had been visited by one of those droughts which continuesometimes for many months. The grass was so dry and parched that itcontained scarcely any nourishment, and the friendly Pimos told themif they pushed on their animals were sure to die of starvation. It wasimpossible to doubt these statements and Carson therefore proposed anew route, which though very rough and difficult in some places, wouldfurnish all the forage that was required.
The course led them along the Gila to the mouth of the San Pedro, andfinally with little difficulty they reached the copper mines ofNew Mexico. Shortly after Carson encountered the Mormon delegate toCongress. During the exchange of courtesies, the gentleman conveyed theinteresting information that he--Carson--had been made Indian Agent forNew Mexico.
The news was a surprise and a great pleasure to the mountaineer. He hadno thought of any such honor and with all his modesty could not but feelthat he was eminently fitted for the performance of its duties. Noone had travelled so extensively through the west, and no one couldunderstand the nature of native Americans better than he. A hundredtribes knew of "Father Kit," as he soon came to be called, and theyreferred to him as a man who never spoke with a "double tongue," and whowas just toward them at all times. He had ventured among the hostilesmore than once where the bravest white man dared not follow him, andhad spent days and nights in their lodges without being offered theslightest indignity. Kit Carson was brave, truthful, kind and honest.
Aside from the gratification which one naturally feels, when receivingan appointment that is pleasant in every respect, and which he holdsthoroughly "in hand," as may be said, the honest mountaineer wasespecially delighted over the thought that his government conferred itwithout any solicitation on his part.
But the man who accepts the position of Indian Agent and conscientiouslyattends to its duties has no sinecure on his hands. Many of them useit as such while others do still worse, thereby sowing the seeds whichspeedily develop into Indian outrages, massacres and wars.
When Carson reached Taos, he had his official bond made out, and sentit with his thanks and acceptance of his appointment to the properauthorities in Washington.
The Indian Agent for New Mexico had scarcely entered upon his newduties, when trouble came. A branch of the Apaches became restless andcommitted a number of outrages on citizens. Stern measures only wouldanswer and a force of dragoons were sent against them. They dealt thema severe blow, killing one of their most famous chiefs, besides aconsiderable number of warriors.
Instead of quieting the tribe, it rather intensified their anger, thoughthey remained quiescent for a time through fear. Not long after, Carsonwas notified that a large party of the tribe were encamped in themountains, less than twenty miles from Taos. He decided at once tosupplement the work of the sword with the gentle arguments of peace.
This proceeding on the part of the Indian Agent is one deserving ofspecial notice, for it shows no less the bravery of Carson than it doesthe philanthropic spirit which actuated him at all times in his dealingswith the red men. Alas, that so few of our officials today deem hisexample worth their imitation.
The venture was so dangerous that Carson went alone, unwilling that anyone else should run the risk. When he arrived at their encampment,he made his way without delay to the presence of the leaders, whom hesaluted in the usual elaborate fashion, and then proceeded to state theimportant business that took him thither.
Nearly every warrior in camp recognized the short, thickset figure andthe broad, pleasant face when they presented themselves. They knew hewas one of the most terrible warriors that ever charged through a campof red men. He had met them many a time in fierce warfare, but he alwaysfought warriors and not papooses and squaws. He was the bravest of thebrave and therefore they respected him.
But he was a truthful and just man. He had never lied to them, as mostof the white men did, and he had shown his confidence in them by walkingalone and unattended into the very heart of their encampment. They wereeager to rend to shreds every pale face upon whom they could lay hands,but "Father Kit" was safe within their lodges and wigwams.
Carson made an admirable speech. He at first caused every serpent-likeeye to sparkle, by his delicate flattery. Then he tried hard to convincethem that their hostility to the whites could result only in injuryto themselves, since the Great Father at Washington had hundreds andthousands of warriors whom he would send to replace such as might losetheir lives. Then, when he made known that the same Great Father hadappointed him to see that justice was done them, they grinned withdelight and gathering around, overwhelmed him with congratulations.
The Agent insisted that they should prove their sincerity by pledging tofollow the line of conduct he had lain down, and they did so with suchreadiness that a superficial observer would have declared the mission acomplete success.
But Kit Carson thought otherwise. He knew the inherent treachery of theaboriginal nature, and his estimate of Apache loyalty was the trueone. The most that he was warranted in feeling was the hope that thosefurious warriors would be less aggressive than had been their custom.Though they had expressed a willingness to make any agreement which hemight propose, yet it was their very willingness to do so which causedhis distrust. Had they been more argumentative and more tenacious oftheir rights, their sincerity might have been credited.
The Agent could have secured their consent almost to any agreement, butthe sagacious official asked as little as he could.
"And I don't believe they mean to keep even that agreement," hemuttered, as he bade the effusive sachems and warriors goodbye and madehis way back to Taos.
The Life of Kit Carson: Hunter, Trapper, Guide, Indian Agent and Colonel U.S.A. Page 34
