KIT CARSON.

LIFE
OF
Kit Carson,

WILD AND ROMANTIC EXPLOITS AS A HUNTER AND TRAPPER IN
THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS; THRILLING ADVENTURES AND
HAIRBREADTH ESCAPES AMONG THE INDIANS AND
MEXICANS; HIS DARING AND INVALUABLE
SERVICES AS A GUIDE TO SCOUTING
AND OTHER PARTIES, ETC., ETC.

WITH AN ACCOUNT OF VARIOUS GOVERNMENT EXPEDITIONS
TO THE FAR WEST.

By CHARLES BURDETT.

ILLUSTRATED.

PHILADELPHIA:
PORTER & COATES,
No. 822 CHESTNUT STREET.

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Copyright, 1869, by John E. Potter & Co.

PREFACE.

In offering to the public a revised and completehistory of the most remarkable of American frontiersmen,we perform a pleasing task. All the attainablecircumstances connected with his life, adventuresand death are fully set forth, and we offerthis in confidence as a reliable authority for thereader.

No one should hesitate to familiarize himself withthe exploits of the subject of this volume. Theyevince a magnanimity and an uprightness of characterthat is rarely found in one leading so daringand intensely wild a life, and cannot but contributetheir share of lustre to the interesting records of theFar West. We regret that his modesty, equallyproverbial with his daring, prompted him to withholdmany of the exciting incidents of his careerfrom the public.

We have compiled a portion of this work fromsuch official reports of his great skill, indomitableenergy, and unfaltering courage as have been communicated[4]by his friend and commander, Col. Fremont,who has invariably awarded to him all thebest attributes of manhood, when opportunity afforded.Added to these, our hero had been prevailedupon by a few of his friends to communicate someof the records of the most important passages inhis extraordinary and eventful life, which are embodiedin this volume.

His has indeed been a life of peculiarly excitingpersonal hazards, bold adventures, daring coolness,and moral and physical courage, such as has seldomtranspired in the world, and we have been greatlyimpressed, in its preparation, with the necessity for athorough work of this kind. All are aware that theyoung, and even matured, often seek for books ofwild adventure, and if those of an unhurtful andtruthful character are not found, they are apt to betakethemselves to trashy and damaging literature.In this view, this work has a purpose which, wetrust, will commend it to every family throughoutthe land.

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CONTENTS.