The writer, while on a foreign tour, once had the opportunity and pleasure of hearing Gordon Cumming and other hunters of less note, discourse on their hunting exploits; furthermore, in our own country, while seated around camp-fires and in log houses, he has listened to the adventures of ancient and modern Nimrods in the chase; besides these facts, he has both seen and read much of hunting exploits; but, no hunter ever filled his fancy so perfectly, as does Christopher Carson, a man who acts and never boasts. Without further comment, the reader is presented with the work, while the writer cherishes the hope, that the facts, which for the first time are given to the world, will prove to be both interesting and important as jottings of history. The author begs leave to return to his friend, C. HATCH SMITH, A.M., of Brooklyn, New York, his acknowledgment for valuable assistance in revising, correcting and arranging his manuscript. 196 Twenty-third street, New York. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. Carson's Birthplace--His Emigration to Missouri--Early Prospects--Is an Apprentice--Stories of the Rocky Mountains--He Enlists to go there--Adventures on the Prairies--Broaders is Wounded--Carson's Nerve put to the Test--Rude Amputation--Safe Arrival at Santa Fe--Goes to Taos and learns the Spanish Language--Early Vicissitudes--Disappointment and Attempt to return to Missouri--Is employed as an Interpreter, Teamster, etc., 13 CHAPTER II. The news of the Defeat of Mr. Young's Trapping Party by the Indians reaches Taos--Young raises a Party to chastise the Indians--Kit Carson becomes a Conspicuous Member of the Expedition--The Indians are found on Salt River--The Fight--Trapping Exploits--A new Country--Trials and Vicissitudes--Sacramento Valley--California and its Roman Catholic Missions in 1829--Another Indian Fight--Sale of Furs--Indian Depredations--Kit Carson and Twelve Trappers engage with the Indians in a Battle--Return to the Camp with recovered Property, 30 CHAPTER III. The Return from California to New Mexico--San Fernando and the Peublo of Los Angelos--Description of these Peublos--Passports demanded at Los Angelos--Trouble with the Mexican Authorities--Kit Carson sent on with the Pack Animals--One Trapper shoots another--The Mexicans become frightened--Indians come into Camp with their Weapons concealed--Cool Reception, by Kit Carson--Arrival at Santa Fe and Taos--Money realized soon parted with--Carson joins another Expedition--The Rivers trapped on--Four Men Killed by Blackfeet Indians--Kit Carson joins Gaunt's Party--The Parks--Winter Quarters--Crow Indian Depredations--Kit Carson and his Party in Pursuit--the Fight--Winter on the Arkansas--Another Expedition--Two Deserters--Kit Carson sent in Pursuit--The Fate of the Runaways--Adventures with Indians--Hair-breadth Escape made by Kit Carson, 42 CHAPTER IV.