I well remember the first overland mail.

It was brought by Kit Carson in saddle-bags from Taos in New Mexico.

We heard of his arrival at Los Angeles, and waited patiently for his arrival at headquarters.

His fame then was at its height, from the publication of Fremont's books, and I was very anxious to see a man who had achieved such feats of daring among the wild animals of the Rocky Mountains, and still wilder Indians of the Plains.

At last his arrival was reported at the tavern at Monterey, and I hurried to hunt him up.