[Illustration: “‘Here I am, Kit! Don’t shoot!’”] Every Boy’s Library—Boy Scout Edition SCOUTING WITH KIT CARSON BY EVERETT T. TOMLINSON AUTHOR OF SCOUTING WITH DANIEL BOONE, Etc. ILLUSTRATED BY JOHN FROST NEW YORK GROSSET & DUNLAP PUBLISHERS Copyright, 1916, by Doubleday, Page & Company All rights reserved, including that of translation into foreign languages, including the Scandinavian PREFACE Perhaps it is unnecessary to explain that the purpose of the author primarily has been to write a story, not a biography. And yet behind the story stands the romantic character of the great trapper, scout, guide, messenger, and soldier—Kit Carson. In every way the aim has been to portray him in a manner that should be true to his unique personality and his adventurous life. There is a basis of truth for the incidents incorporated in the tale. Although exact chronology has been impossible, still an attempt has been made in a general way, to present in order, various phases of Kit Carson’s stirring life. The courage and truthfulness of the famous scout, his modesty and determination, as well as his fidelity and his friendliness are qualities of life never more in demand than to-day. Where can our boys and girls learn of their value better than in becoming familiar with a life which, whatever its limitations may have been, surely possessed these valuable qualities. Is it not high time, too, for young Americans to be taught that in the romance and adventure of the early days of our own country there are heroes as deserving of recognition as the semi-fabulous characters in the early life of nations across the sea? Whatever may be taught of the latter, surely American boys and girls ought not to be ignorant of the early heroes of their own land. Everett T. Tomlinson. Elizabeth, New Jersey. CONTENTS CHAPTER I—THE CAMP ON THE PLAINS CHAPTER II—IN PURSUIT OF A HERD CHAPTER III—THREE CHEYENNES CHAPTER IV—RAT TRUE CHAPTER V—THE FAME OF THE TRAPPER CHAPTER VI—ALONE CHAPTER VII—MOUNTAIN TROUT CHAPTER VIII—AN UNEXPECTED MEETING CHAPTER IX—WOLF’S CLOTHING CHAPTER X—ATTACKED CHAPTER XI—A TRYING EXPERIENCE CHAPTER XII—A PUZZLING MESSENGER CHAPTER XIII—PURSUIT CHAPTER XIV—CAPTURED CHAPTER XV—A LONELY RIDE CHAPTER XVI—A MOUNTAIN LION CHAPTER XVII—THE COMING OF RAT CHAPTER XVIII—A FIGHT CHAPTER XIX—TRAPPED CHAPTER XX—WILD HORSES CHAPTER XXI—THE CHASE OF THE LEADER CHAPTER XXII—A WHITE MAN IN THE INDIAN VILLAGE CHAPTER XXIII—BAFFLED CHAPTER XXIV—A FRESH ATTEMPT CHAPTER XXV—THE CAPTIVE LEADER CHAPTER XXVI—THE RETURN OF RAT CHAPTER XXVII—THE THEFT CHAPTER XXVIII—THE RETURN CHAPTER XXIX—THE GREAT SCOUT AND THE GREAT EXPLORER CHAPTER XXX—CONCLUSION ILLUSTRATIONS “‘Here I am, Kit! Don’t shoot!’” “Several Indians seated themselves before the mouth of the cave”