CHAPTER XXXI.
Hostility of the Apaches--Colonel Beale Sends an Expedition Against Them--Nothing Accomplished--Colonel Beale Leads an Expedition with Carson as Guide--Capture and Release of Two Chiefs--March to the Arkansas--Another Failure--Carson and Maxwell Build a Ranche--Fremont's Fourth Expedition--The Murderous Apaches--A Fruitless Pursuit.
Kit Carson was one of those whose destiny seems to be that of stirring incident and adventure.

No man possessed such an intimate knowledge of the manners, customs and peculiarities of the tribes in the southwest, and with his exceptional woodcraft, skill and high courage his services were always indispensable.
While he was at Taos, the Indians around him were restless until the whole country was seething and on the verge of a general revolt.
Colonel Beale, commanding officer of the district, had established his headquarters at Taos.

The Apaches committed so many outrages that he believed the only course open was to administer a thorough chastisement; but it was tenfold easier to reach such a conclusion than it was to carry it out.

A strong force having been despatched to bring them to account, pursued them to the mountains from which they were compelled to return without accomplishing anything at all.

The subsequent history of these Apaches and of General Crook's campaign against them are familiar enough to all to justify the declaration that they have proven themselves the bravest and most formidable tribe that has defied the United States government during the past half century.
Disappointed that the officer whom he sent failed to do anything, Colonel Beale took command himself and employed Kit Carson as guide.
Instead of stopping in the mountains because they were blocked with snow, as the former expedition had done, Colonel Beale forced his way with great difficulty through them.