CHAPTER XXXIII.
Carson Visits St.Louis on Business--Encounter with Cheyenne on his Return--His Sagacity Does not Fail Him--Carson's Last Beaver Expedition--His California Speculation.
Maxwell, the mountaineer and intimate friend of Carson, was quite wealthy and was of great assistance in several schemes which they undertook in partnership.

One of their enterprises was that of sending a train of wagons belonging to the two to the States.

Carson took charge, and, jogging along at a comfortable rate, they reached in due time the Missouri, where he went by steamboat to St.Louis.There he purchased a large amount of merchandise which was taken up stream on the boat, transferred to his wagon train, and the faces of all were then turned toward New Mexico.
Everything went well until they approached the fording of the Arkansas, when they came upon a large village of Cheyenne Indians.

Unfortunately some days before, a company of recruits had shown such cruelty toward several warriors belonging to that tribe, that they were roused to the highest point of fury, and were only waiting an opportunity to visit punishment on the first whites that came in their way.
Carson knew nothing of the occurrence nor did he know of the bitter hostility of the Cheyennes, but when they went into council, and he overheard some expressions, he saw that something was wrong.

He warned his men to be ready for instant attack, never permitting the Indians to catch them off their guard for a single moment.
The warriors fell behind, but after awhile, a number rode up on horseback.